Which statement best defines social determinants of health and provides examples?

• A. Social determinants are conditions in which people are born, grow, work, live, and age; examples include income level and housing quality.
• B. Social determinants are only genetic factors.
• C. They refer to clinical interventions.
• D. They are not relevant to health outcomes.

Answer: (B)

Social determinants of health are the conditions in which people are born, grow, work, live, and age, and these conditions shape health outcomes by influencing exposure to risk, access to resources, and overall well-being. Examples include income level, housing quality, education, neighborhood safety, access to nutritious food, employment conditions, social supports, discrimination, and access to healthcare. These determinants operate outside of biology and medical care, yet strongly affect health risks and outcomes. Genetics play a role in health, but they are not what is meant by social determinants. Clinical interventions and medical treatments address health symptoms and diseases directly, whereas social determinants describe the broader context that influences health over time.