Certified Prevention Professional (CPP) Practice Exam

What term is used to describe the multiple factors that influence health beyond just individual choices?

1. Social Determinants of Health

2. Behavioral Influences

3. Psycho-Social Factors

4. Cultural Norms

The correct answer is: Social Determinants of Health

The term "Social Determinants of Health" encompasses the various conditions and environments in which people are born, grow, live, work, and age that significantly impact their health outcomes. This concept goes beyond individual behavior or choices, recognizing that broader social, economic, and environmental factors play a crucial role in determining health equity and disparities among populations. These determinants include factors like socioeconomic status, education, access to healthcare, community safety, and social support networks. By focusing on social determinants, public health professionals can address the root causes of health inequities and implement strategies that consider the collective circumstances affecting large groups of people. While behavioral influences, psycho-social factors, and cultural norms do play a role in health, they are more specific and do not capture the comprehensive scope of societal implications on health as effectively as social determinants do. This makes "Social Determinants of Health" the most accurate term for describing the multifaceted influences on overall health beyond individual choices.