What are social determinants of health concerned with?

Social determinants of health encompass the social and economic conditions that influence the health of individuals and communities. These factors include aspects such as socioeconomic status, education, neighborhood and physical environment, employment, social support networks, as well as access to healthcare. By focusing on these determinants, public health professionals can better understand the broader context in which health behaviors and outcomes occur, recognizing that health is not determined solely by personal choices or genetics but also by the conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work, and age.

Considering the other options, the first option emphasizes only individual health behaviors, which overlooks the larger structural factors that significantly impact health. The second option is focused solely on genetic factors, which, while important, are just one piece of the puzzle and do not comprehensively address the myriad of social influences on health. The fourth option highlights the natural environment, which is relevant but does not capture the full range of social and economic influences that shape health outcomes. Thus, the focus on social and economic conditions in option C accurately reflects the breadth of the concept of social determinants of health.