Which items are commonly cited as part of the social determinants of health?

• A. Educational attainment, income, and occupational status
• B. Eye color, height, and blood type
• C. Diet cats and rainfall
• D. Genetic markers only

Answer: (A)

Social determinants of health are the non-medical factors that shape health outcomes, including how people’s opportunities and risks are shaped by their social and economic positions. Educational attainment influences health by affecting health literacy, decision-making, and access to higher-quality jobs and resources within the health system. Income determines the ability to afford housing, nutritious food, stable living conditions, and healthcare services, all of which directly impact health. Occupational status reflects working conditions, job security, exposure to hazards, and access to benefits like sick leave and health insurance, all of which influence health risk and access to care.

These elements—education, income, and occupation—are classic examples of social determinants because they operate outside medical care yet profoundly affect health. The other options involve biological traits (eye color, height, blood type), environmental or random factors (diet and rainfall), or genetics alone, which do not capture the social context that typically defines the social determinants of health.