What are social determinants of health?

Social determinants of health refer to a wide range of conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work, and age that significantly affect a person's health outcomes. These determinants include but are not limited to economic stability, education, social and community context, health and healthcare access, and neighborhood and built environment. By highlighting their importance, option B accurately encompasses the essence of social determinants, acknowledging that health outcomes are influenced by various conditions beyond individual behavior or genetics.

While genetics, healthcare access, and economic conditions are important factors, they do not represent the full spectrum of social determinants. Conditions affecting health outcomes incorporate not only access to healthcare but also social issues such as education quality, housing stability, and social relationships that collectively shape an individual’s overall well-being. Thus, recognizing these varied conditions is crucial for understanding and addressing health disparities in populations.