Dying of Whiteness: How the Politics of Racial Resentment Is Killing America's Heartland

Metzl briefly mentions his own background several times in the text. What is his personal relationship to his research, and how does it influence his work?

Metzl often speaks about how issues that do not appear racially-charged on the surface, such as gun control or education funding, nevertheless often reflect racial attitudes and have a disproportionate impact upon minority communities. What are some of the hidden impacts of these issues, and how do they illustrate The Societal Impacts of Racial Resentment more generally?

In the text, Metzl explores the public health ramifications of gun control, rejecting Medicaid expansion, and defunding public schools. What are some other social or political issues that might have hidden health costs?

Contrast and compare Metzl’s three case studies. How are they similar or different? How does each one illuminate his key themes and ideas?

Metzl offers detailed descriptions of his research methods in each section of the book. How do they differ, and how does that affect the outcome? How do these details change the reading experience?

In Part 2: “Tennessee,” Metzl suggests that opinions on the ACA were split along racial lines in part due to differing opinions on President Barack Obama. What role did Obama’s race place in the instances of backlash governance that began to emerge during his presidency, and/or the rise of the Tea Party Movement?

How does Dying of Whiteness examine the relationship between politics and health? How does Metzl use health as a lens for exploring the issue of polarization in American political discourse more broadly?

What might a more integrated approach to healthcare, one that considers social and historical context, look like?