Final answer:
Political factors in health encompass the influence of domestic and international politics on healthcare policy and outcomes, such as the level of economic development and trade policies. These factors contribute to health disparities among different societal groups, as well as illustrate the impact of government intervention in health markets through programs like Medicare and Medicaid.
Step-by-step explanation:
Political factors in health refer to the role that politics and policy decisions play in shaping health outcomes. Domestic factors include the organization of the electoral system, the interactions among politicians, and the level of economic and institutional development. These influence how healthcare policies are crafted and implemented. International factors, such as globalization and trade liberalization, also exert pressure that impacts health policy.
Health disparities among different racial, ethnic, and gender groups in the United States are impacted by political decisions that can result in varied access to resources, healthcare, and opportunities. These disparities are often linked to differences in policy that affect social determinants of health.
Geographical factors like where one lives can be influential due to the geography of disease and care. Health metrics and regional variations in health care reflect these disparities. Additionally, national health policies in the United States, such as Medicare and Medicaid, originate from political decisions targeting market failures, highlighting the government's role in financing and providing healthcare.