The social determinants of health include which of the following?

• A. Income, Employment, Education
• B. Genetics, Environment, Access
• C. Income, Education, Governance
• D. Education, Diet, Exercise

Answer: (A)

Social determinants of health are the conditions in which people are born, grow, work, live, and age, shaped by how money, power, and resources are distributed. Income, employment, and education are foundational because they determine access to housing, nutritious food, safe environments, healthcare, and health information, all of which influence health outcomes and health disparities over a person’s life. While genetics, general environment, and access to services also affect health, genetics is biological, and diet and exercise describe health behaviors rather than the social conditions that shape opportunities and risks. Governance can influence these conditions, but the most direct and foundational socioeconomic factors highlighted in this context are income, employment, and education.