Deck 4: Social Epidemiology and Determinants of Health

Question 1

Discuss how social determinants of health are related to health disparities.

Answer 1

Health disparities are an inequality of health outcomes between groups, such as racial or social groups. People who demonstrate more positive social determinants of health-such as those who have more access to health care, more access to food for healthy eating, more civic participation, or higher literacy-are less likely to experience health disparities. Those who have fewer positive social determinants of health, on the other hand, are more likely to experience health disparities. The presence or absence of social determinants of health can assist to predict the population's likelihood of experiencing health disparities.

Question 2

Considering how the built environment has changed to favor the use of automobiles for transportation, how could a health care provider work to improve the physical activity of a community?

Answer 2

Answers may vary, but students should discuss ways the health care provider could work with urban design and city planners to increase the availability of physical activities in the community. For example, in a rural community the health care provider could be part of a team who works to position biking and walking paths around and through the neighborhood. The health care provider could be part of a team that plans a new park for residents that provides active opportunities such as pickle ball courts or an outdoor obstacle course. It could also be as simple as working to make the existing park a safe and attractive place for recreation. The student should think of ways to encourage more physical activity for the population.

Question 3

Choose one physical determinant of health and describe the impact it may have on health.

Answer 3

Answers will vary based on the physical determinant chosen. The student should provide a thoughtful response regarding how the chosen physical determinant may impact health. For example, exposure to toxic substances is one physical determinant of health. The exposure to toxic substances may be a known or unknown exposure. Regardless of the knowledge of the exposure, the population who is ingesting the substance may be at risk for health conditions, including cognitive and physiological effects. For example, exposure to lead can impact cognitive development, while exposure to excessive nitrates can cause methemoglobinemia, also called "blue baby" disease. In each example, populations that have lower incomes and lack of access to safe water supplies are more likely to be exposed and suffer negative consequences.

Question 4

Which option is an example of a social determinant?

A) Access to health care services
B) Community design
C) Exposure to toxic substances
D) Climate change

Question 5

Healthy People 2020 includes social determinants of health as a distinct topic comprised of 5 key areas in its 2020 publication. Which is an underlying factor included in the key area of "Neighborhood and Built Environment"?

A) Early childhood education and development
B) Establishment of stationary and mobile clinics
C) Civil involvement in crime and violence patrols
D) Access to food that supports healthy eating patterns

Question 6

The World Health Organization (WHO) established the Commission on Social Determinants of Health (CSDH) in early 2000. For which reason was the CSDH established?

A) To compare the health status of populations sharing the same culture
B) To encourage the development of government policies about health
C) To examine how the structure of societies affects population health
D) To identify the difference in health between affluent and poor populations

Question 7

The public health nurse is analyzing the incidence of coronary disease in a community, and identifies a common factor of obesity. Which upstream factor is a consideration for the incidences of obesity?

A) Dependency on cars due to a suburban shift in housing
B) Increased availability and preference for fast foods
C) Lack of desire to change negative personal habits
D) Inability to pay for weight loss support programs

Question 8

A parent brings a toddler to a clinic because of a prolonged period of stomach aches and low tolerance for physical activity. Blood tests indicate the toddler is anemic. Which information from the parent causes serious concern for the nurse?

A) The toddler mouthed crib rails when teething.
B) The toddler's other parent works in a recycling plant.
C) The toddler likes to make roads in the dirt for toy cars.
D) The toddler's grandparent makes stained glass windows.

Question 9

Social epidemiology studies the social determinants of the distributions of health, disease, and wellbeing in a population.

Question 10

Increased exercise in the form of walking is more appealing to occupants of homes in suburban areas because the activity is based on social interaction and not on tasks related to needs.

Question 11

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proven in the last five years that lead is a human carcinogen.

Question 12

Acknowledging the role of ________ factors places the responsibility of illness beyond the individual's control.

Question 13

A major deterrent in the prevention of childhood lead exposure is the _______ required to decrease lead in the household.