What are social determinants of health?

• A. The personal choices individuals make about diet and exercise.
• B. The biological factors inherited from parents.
• C. The structural determinants and conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work, and age which have a significant impact on health outcomes.
• D. The medications a person takes for chronic conditions.

Answer: (C)

Social determinants of health describe the structural and environmental conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work, and age that significantly shape health outcomes. These factors include where we live, our income and education, access to housing and healthcare, social supports, and the policies and systems that affect daily life. They influence health both directly and indirectly by shaping exposures to risks, opportunities for healthy choices, and access to resources needed to maintain health.

Personal choices like diet and exercise matter, but they are influenced by the surrounding environment and resources, not the sole determinants of health. Genetics involve inherited biological factors, and medications are treatments for conditions—useful distinctions, but they don’t capture the broad social and structural context that drives health disparities.