Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) 3rd year Flashcards
What does the term “social determinants of health” (SDOH) refer to?
A) Genetic factors that influence individual health outcomes.
B) Economic and social conditions impacting health and healthcare accessibility.
C) Factors only related to diet and lifestyle choices.
D) Hospital resources available for public health emergencies.
Answer: B
Explanation: B is correct, as SDOH includes conditions like income, education, and environment, which influence health outcomes. Options A, C, and D don’t fully capture the concept of SDOH.
Which of the following is an example of a social determinant of health related to employment?
A) Access to fresh produce in a low-income neighborhood.
B) Income and job security contributing to lower stress levels.
C) Family support systems influencing mental health.
D) Chronic disease rates across populations.
Answer: B
Explanation: B is correct because employment provides income and often healthcare benefits, which can reduce stress and improve health. Options A, C, and D represent other SDOH but not employment directly.
How can naturopathic doctors (NDs) assess the impact of SDOH on a patient’s health?
A) By focusing solely on biological markers in lab results.
B) By incorporating questions about income, education, and support systems during patient intake.
C) By evaluating only the patient’s mental health status.
D) By assessing only the environmental conditions.
Answer: B
Explanation: B is correct as comprehensive patient intake regarding SDOH can help NDs understand barriers patients face. A, C, and D don’t provide a full assessment of SDOH.
Which of the following strategies aligns with advocating for systemic health equity? (Added)
A) Focusing primarily on individual interventions.
B) Engaging in policy reform to improve living conditions.
C) Limiting patient advocacy to in-office treatments.
D) Emphasizing patient responsibility for health.
Answer: B
Explanation: B is correct because systemic change through policy reform can address SDOH, improving healthcare access and equity. A, C, and D do not address systemic factors.
What is one potential health outcome of “healthcare deserts” in marginalized areas? (Added)
A) Increased access to preventive care.
B) Lower rates of chronic conditions.
C) Delayed diagnoses and untreated chronic conditions.
D) Higher patient adherence to follow-up care.
Answer: C
Explanation: C is correct as healthcare deserts lead to limited access, delaying diagnosis and treatment. A, B, and D are outcomes more associated with well-resourced areas.
How might marginalized individuals experience barriers to healthcare access?
A) Marginalized individuals often have higher health literacy levels.
B) Financial barriers and social exclusion restrict access to necessary care.
C) Increased healthcare access is provided through government initiatives.
D) More mental health resources are available in low-income areas.
Answer: B
Explanation: B is correct because marginalized groups often face financial and social barriers. Options A, C, and D are inaccurate or less common in these populations.
What is the role of culturally competent care in reducing health disparities?
A) It encourages standardizing treatment protocols across all cultures.
B) It ensures that healthcare providers respect and adapt to patients’ cultural needs.
C) It focuses on minimizing healthcare costs for patients.
D) It replaces conventional treatments with alternative therapies.
Answer: B
Explanation: B is correct, as culturally competent care emphasizes respecting and responding to patients’ cultural beliefs. Options A, C, and D do not address cultural competency fully.
Which SDOH factor is directly associated with increased rates of asthma in low-income urban areas?
A) Limited access to healthcare providers.
B) High levels of education in affected areas.
C) Poor environmental conditions like air pollution.
D) Stable employment rates in the population.
Answer: C
Explanation: C is correct as pollution in urban areas contributes to asthma. A, B, and D are not direct contributors to asthma related to SDOH.
In what way can naturopathic doctors address the needs of patients affected by SDOH? (Added)
A) By offering generic health plans without considering individual barriers.
B) By recommending affordable, accessible lifestyle and dietary interventions.
C) By referring all SDOH-related concerns to social workers.
D) By advising patients to handle health issues independently.
Answer: B
Explanation: B is correct, as offering tailored interventions that consider a patient’s financial and social context is effective in SDOH-focused care.
Which initiative might help reduce mental health disparities in underserved populations?
A) Increasing patient wait times for mental health services.
B) Integrating mental health services within primary care settings.
C) Focusing solely on physical health conditions.
D) Encouraging patients to avoid mental health services
Answer: B
Explanation: B is correct as mental health integration in primary care can increase access. A, C, and D don’t improve access to mental health care for marginalized groups.
Which of the following factors is MOST likely to influence an individual’s health?
A. Smoking, diet, and exercise
B. Access to healthcare services
C. Social and economic factors such as income, education, and social connections
D. Genetic predisposition
C. Social and economic factors such as income, education, and social connections: Correct. Research shows that these factors have a significant and broad impact on health outcomes, influencing inequalities in longevity and illness rates.
A. Smoking, diet, and exercise: These are personal health practices, which influence health but are only one component of the determinants of health.
B. Access to healthcare services: While important, access to healthcare alone cannot address broader health disparities caused by social and economic inequities.
D. Genetic predisposition: Genetics contribute to health, but they do not account for disparities created by social determinants of health.
What is the key distinction between equity and equality in public health?
A. Equity ensures everyone receives the same resources, while equality focuses on fairness.
B. Equality means providing equal opportunities, while equity focuses on addressing specific needs to reduce disparities.
C. Equity is the absence of disease, while equality ensures equal distribution of healthcare services.
D. Equality and equity are interchangeable terms.
B. Equality means providing equal opportunities, while equity focuses on addressing specific needs to reduce disparities: Correct. Equity involves tailored solutions to account for individual and group differences, ensuring fair outcomes rather than just equal inputs.
A. Equity ensures everyone receives the same resources, while equality focuses on fairness: Incorrect. This reverses the definitions of equity and equality.
C. Equity is the absence of disease, while equality ensures equal distribution of healthcare services: Misleading, as equity and equality address access and fairness rather than disease absence.
D. Equality and equity are interchangeable terms: Incorrect, as they represent distinct concepts in public health.
Which population group is MOST at risk due to rising fresh food prices?
A. Middle-income households
B. Low-income households
C. Urban populations
D. High-income households
B. Low-income households: Correct. Rising food prices disproportionately affect low-income populations, exacerbating food insecurity and health disparities.
A. Middle-income households: While impacted, they are less vulnerable than low-income households to food insecurity.
C. Urban populations: Incorrect. While urban populations may face higher costs, the risk is linked more to income level than geographic location.
D. High-income households: Incorrect. High-income households are least affected due to their greater financial resources.
What does the term “built environment” refer to in public health?
A. The genetic factors influencing health outcomes
B. The natural landscapes surrounding a community
C. The human-made surroundings that influence physical and social health
D. The healthcare services available in a given area
C. The human-made surroundings that influence physical and social health: Correct. Examples include housing quality, walkability, and access to amenities that affect health outcomes
A. The genetic factors influencing health outcomes: Incorrect. Built environment pertains to physical surroundings, not genetics.
B. The natural landscapes surrounding a community: Incorrect. Built environment specifically refers to human-made structures.
D. The healthcare services available in a given area: Incorrect. While related, healthcare services fall under “health systems,” not the built environment.
Which of the following is NOT a social determinant of health in Canada?
A. Food insecurity
B. Indigenous status
C. Availability of affordable transportation
D. Physical activity levels
D. Physical activity levels: Correct. While physical activity impacts health, it is categorized under individual health practices, not social determinants.
A. Food insecurity: Incorrect. This is a recognized social determinant of health in Canada.
B. Indigenous status: Incorrect. This is also a key determinant, as Indigenous populations face unique health challenges due to historical and systemic inequities.
C. Availability of affordable transportation: Incorrect. Transportation access influences socioeconomic factors, making it a determinant of health.
