Frequency and specificity of health issues in local political campaigns

Abstract

PurposeThis study investigates the frequency and specificity of health-related issues discussed during the East Java Indonesia Gubernatorial Election Campaign 2018.Design/methodology/approachThe research utilized a mixed-methods approach, combining topic modeling and qualitative thematic analysis, to analyze 4,023 online news articles from March to June 2018. From the data sources obtained in terms of time frame, this research can be categorized as a retrospective study because it examines origins from events that have already occurred.FindingsThe study found that health issues accounted for only 6% of all gubernatorial election news in each selected online media portal. The health issues identified were categorised into eight groups: health financing and facilities, health workforce, malnutrition and stunting, leprosy, cigarettes and tobacco, healthy lifestyles, pregnancy and breastfeeding, and disability. The study also reveals a need for increased attention to health-related issues in political campaigns and media. By focusing on the health-related issues raised during the campaign, the study provides valuable insights into the gaps and priorities in addressing the health needs of the East Java population. The research framework used in this study offers a valuable approach for analyzing online data sources using qualitative analysis capacity. The study can improve health policies and outcomes in the local election campaign by raising awareness of health issues and promoting informed decision-making among voters.Research limitations/implicationsThis research limitation is a local political campaign case in Indonesia. The research indicates that health issues receive limited coverage during election campaigns, suggesting a lack of emphasis on health as a critical issue among East Java's electorate.Originality/valueThe study can improve health policies and outcomes in the local election campaign by raising awareness of health issues and promoting informed decision-making among voters.

IJHG review 28.4

“…This review is based on Ridlo's (2023) study titled “Frequency and specificity of health issues in local political campaign”.…”

“…This article follows neatly after the previous one, as its focus is on one of the GDH elements discussed by Teig et al (2023), the politicalisation of health. Ridlo (2023) seeks to discover whether health issues form a significant component of local political campaigns in Indonesia. This author argues that health cannot be viewed separately from politics, as health services represent a commodity that is inherently entwined with the political discourse on finance and power.…”

What is the Role of Journalism in the Political Advocacy of Health Policy in Indonesia?

“…Furthermore, some models explain the impact of social media on public health communication campaigns, underscoring the significance of considering indirect influences on behavioral modification, such as those stemming from news media pressure or policy reform (Charalambous, 2019;Abuhashesh et al, 2021;Afful-Dadzie, Afful-Dadzie and Egala, 2021;Akbar, Kurniadi and Nurliawati, 2021;Apriliyanti, Utomo and Purwanto, 2021). Several health policy issues in Indonesia have been accentuated through media coverage in the context of local political campaigns (Ridlo, 2023). Among these issues are inadequate investment in the health sector, malnutrition, stunting, health disparities, healthcare accessibility, and the perils associated with non-communicable diseases among adolescents.…”

“…In political campaigns, media coverage can greatly shape health topics that have become part of the political discussion. The study on the 'frequency and specificity of health issues in local political campaigns' provides evidence of how health topics are integrated into political communication and given specific attention (Ridlo, 2023), thereby enabling a deeper understanding of potential health policies and engaging with them. This specificity plays a crucial role in enabling voters to grasp the implications of policy proposals and allows candidates to articulate their positions on pressing health issues.…”