In an article published on February 8, 2024, Chauncey DeVega argues that a second Trump presidency poses serious health risks to Americans.
Highlighting the negative impact of Trumpism on the nation’s health, DeVega quotes experts who predict an “epidemic” of stress-related illnesses, including heart disease and diabetes, due to prolonged exposure to stress. Trump’s potential dismantling of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) is a major concern, with fears that undoing ACA could lead to tens of thousands of deaths annually from untreated conditions.
The article also touches on societal burnout, exacerbated by divisive politics and the rapid pace of technological change. DeVega emphasizes the dire consequences of a Trump comeback, including increased hate crimes, potential for authoritarian governance, and exacerbation of climate change.
The piece concludes by urging Biden to confront these threats head-on, warning of the retraumatizing effects of a second Trump term and its potential to shorten American lives.