The following statement is true: Health inequalities refer to differences in health status that are avoidable and preventable.

• A. True
• B. False
• C. Not applicable
• D. Not known

Answer: (A)

Differences in how healthy people are across groups come from the opportunities and resources they can access—things like income, education, housing, clean environments, and access to care. If those factors can be changed or improved through laws, programs, or services, then the differences are avoidable. In this sense, many health differences between populations are seen as preventable because they arise from modifiable social determinants, not from fixed biology.

So the statement is true in this context: health inequalities refer to differences in health status that are avoidable and preventable. This perspective underpins efforts to reduce disparities by improving access, resources, and conditions that support health.