What are social determinants of health?

The concept of social determinants of health encompasses various factors that significantly impact health outcomes within a community. These determinants include the conditions in which individuals are born, live, learn, work, and age. These social and economic conditions can influence behaviors and access to healthcare, which ultimately affect the health status of individuals and populations.

Social determinants of health go beyond the immediate healthcare services people receive; they address broader systemic factors such as socioeconomic status, education, physical environment, and social support networks. By focusing on these conditions, public health initiatives can target the root causes of health disparities, leading to more equitable health outcomes.

Other options like genetic factors and environmental influences may play roles in health as well, but they do not encapsulate the broader social context that fundamentally shapes health outcomes across different populations. Similarly, while government policies can impact healthcare access and quality, they represent a specific aspect of the broader conditions that influence health rather than encompassing all the social determinants.