Health Inequalities: Causes and Patterns in Different Social Groups

Question 1

Which of the following is NOT a recognized social determinant of health?

Accepted Answer

Eye color

Answer

Housing

Answer

Education

Answer

Income

Question 2

According to the Black Report (1980), which social class in the UK had the highest mortality rates?

Accepted Answer

Manual working class

Answer

Managers and professionals

Answer

Women

Question 3

Which sociological theory emphasizes the role of social stratification in shaping health outcomes?

Accepted Answer

Social stratification theory

Answer

Symbolic interactionism

Answer

Life course theory

Answer

Social capital theory

Question 4

What is the primary goal of the Healthy Lives, Healthy People white paper (2010)?

Accepted Answer

To reduce health inequalities in England

Answer

To increase life expectancy in Scotland

Answer

To improve access to healthcare in Wales

Question 5

Which of the following is a criticism of the 'health divide' approach to understanding health inequalities?

Accepted Answer

It oversimplifies the complex causes of health disparities.

Answer

It places too much emphasis on social class.

Answer

It cannot be applied to all countries.

Answer

It disregards the role of individual responsibility.

Question 6

How does social capital influence health outcomes?

Accepted Answer

High social capital is generally associated with better health outcomes.

Answer

Social capital only affects health in certain social groups.

Answer

Low social capital has no impact on health.

Question 7

How does education play a role in reducing health inequalities?

Accepted Answer

Education can empower individuals to make healthier choices.

Answer

Education has no impact on health inequalities.

Answer

Education only benefits certain social groups.

Question 8

Which of the following is an example of an 'upstream' approach to reducing health inequalities?

Accepted Answer

Improving housing conditions

Answer

Providing affordable healthcare

Answer

Raising awareness about healthy lifestyles

Answer

Treating specific diseases

Question 9

Which of the following is NOT considered a primary factor contributing to health inequalities?

Accepted Answer

Genetics

Answer

Gender

Answer

Socioeconomic status

Answer

Race and ethnicity

Question 10

According to the social determinants of health model, which category of factors has the greatest influence on health outcomes?

Accepted Answer

Social and economic factors

Answer

Biological factors

Answer

Environmental factors

Answer

Behavioral factors

Question 11

What is the concept of intersectionality in the context of health inequalities?

Accepted Answer

The interconnectedness of multiple social identities (e.g., race, gender, socioeconomic status) and their combined impact on health outcomes

Answer

The idea that health disparities solely result from individual choices

Answer

The belief that all social groups experience health inequalities equally

Question 12

How does social capital contribute to mitigating health inequalities?

Accepted Answer

It provides resources, support networks, and information that can enhance health outcomes

Answer

It can increase the risk of developing chronic diseases

Answer

It has no significant impact on health inequalities

Question 13

What is a limitation of using mortality rates as a measure of health inequalities?

Accepted Answer

They do not capture differences in overall health status, morbidity, or quality of life

Answer

They are only available for developed countries

Answer

They are not sensitive to changes over time

Question 14

What are the ethical concerns associated with using socioeconomic status as a proxy for health?

Accepted Answer

It can perpetuate stereotypes, stigmatize certain populations, and oversimplify the complex factors influencing health

Answer

It provides a more accurate assessment of health status

Answer

It has no ethical implications

Question 15

Which of the following is a fundamental challenge in addressing health inequalities?

Accepted Answer

The persistence of systemic inequalities that create barriers to health equity

Answer

Limited resources for interventions

Answer

Lack of public awareness about the issue

Question 16

What is the overarching goal of interventions aimed at reducing health inequalities?

Accepted Answer

To promote a just and equitable society where everyone has a fair opportunity to achieve optimal health and well-being

Answer

To improve the health status of only the most vulnerable populations

Answer

To completely eliminate all health disparities

Question 17

Which of the following is NOT a key social determinant of health, according to the World Health Organization?

Accepted Answer

Eye color

Answer

Education

Answer

Income

Answer

Ethnicity

Question 18

The concept of relative deprivation suggests that health inequalities are primarily:

Accepted Answer

Shaped by how individuals perceive their health status in relation to others

Answer

Caused solely by personal lifestyle choices

Answer

Unavoidable due to genetic and biological factors

Question 19

A key finding of the Black Report (1980) was that health inequalities in the UK:

Accepted Answer

Are closely linked to social class and socioeconomic factors

Answer

Are primarily caused by individual lifestyle factors and behaviors

Answer

Have narrowed significantly since the 1980s

Question 20

An example of an intervention aimed at reducing health inequalities is:

Accepted Answer

Targeted health education campaigns focusing on disadvantaged populations

Answer

Privatization of healthcare services

Answer

Increasing the price of unhealthy foods for everyone

Answer

Reducing taxes for wealthy individuals

Question 21

The concept of 'intersectionality' emphasizes that health inequalities:

Accepted Answer

Can be experienced differently by individuals who belong to multiple marginalized groups

Answer

Are only relevant to specific population groups

Answer

Can be fully eliminated through education and awareness-raising

Question 22

A potential criticism of using health expectancy as a measure of health inequality is that it:

Accepted Answer

Does not take into account differences in quality of life

Answer

Measures only mortality rates and not morbidity

Answer

Is too complex and difficult to calculate accurately

Question 23

The 'healthy migrant effect' refers to the observation that:

Accepted Answer

Immigrants often have better health outcomes than native-born populations in the short term

Answer

Health inequalities among immigrants increase significantly over time

Answer

Immigrants are more likely to experience health inequalities than native-born populations

Question 24

The principle of 'health equity' suggests that:

Accepted Answer

All people should have a fair and just opportunity to achieve their full health potential

Answer

Health outcomes should be equal for everyone, regardless of their circumstances

Answer

Addressing health inequalities is not a priority and should not be pursued

Question 25

A key challenge in tackling health inequalities is:

Accepted Answer

Addressing the underlying social, economic, and environmental causes

Answer

Improving access to healthcare services

Answer

Changing individual behaviors and lifestyles

Question 26

Which of the following is NOT a key social determinant of health inequalities?

Accepted Answer

Climate

Answer

Housing

Answer

Education

Answer

Income

Question 27

A limitation of the Social Determinants of Health framework is that:

Accepted Answer

It oversimplifies the relationship between health and social factors.

Answer

It relies exclusively on quantitative research.

Answer

It does not consider the role of individual behavior.

Question 28

A key policy approach to reducing health inequalities involves:

Accepted Answer

Targeted interventions for disadvantaged groups

Answer

Universal healthcare alone

Answer

Health education campaigns primarily

Answer

Solely encouraging economic growth

Question 29

A primary goal of the World Health Organization's (WHO) Global Action Plan on Social Determinants of Health is:

Accepted Answer

To reduce health inequalities within and between countries

Answer

To eradicate specific diseases worldwide

Answer

To increase the number of healthcare providers globally

Question 30

Intersectionality, in the context of health inequalities, emphasizes that:

Accepted Answer

Multiple forms of oppression interact to shape health experiences

Answer

Social identities are fixed and do not influence health

Answer

Health inequalities solely result from gender-based discrimination

Question 31

An example of a structural intervention to reduce health inequalities is:

Accepted Answer

Increasing the minimum wage

Answer

Encouraging healthy eating habits

Answer

Expanding access to health insurance

Answer

Providing health screenings to individuals

Question 32

Which of the following is NOT considered a primary factor in understanding health inequalities?

Accepted Answer

Genetic predisposition

Answer

Ethnicity

Answer

Social class

Answer

Gender

Question 33

Research from the Whitehall Studies demonstrates that:

Accepted Answer

Lower social class is associated with higher mortality rates

Answer

Middle social class has the highest life expectancy

Answer

Health outcomes are not influenced by social class

Answer

Upper social class experiences more chronic diseases

Question 34

How might socioeconomic status influence health?

Accepted Answer

Through differential access to healthcare

Answer

Only through the influence of cultural norms

Answer

Solely through personal responsibility and choices

Answer

Exclusively due to genetic inheritance

Question 35

Which of the following is a major criticism of the concept of 'health behavior'?

Accepted Answer

It assumes individual agency as the primary determinant of health, overlooking the influence of structural factors.

Answer

It is too narrow a definition of health.

Answer

It ignores the role of environmental factors.

Question 36

Which of the following characteristics best describes intersectionality theory in relation to health inequalities?

Accepted Answer

It recognizes that multiple forms of discrimination interact to shape health outcomes.

Answer

It denies the significance of personal choices.

Answer

It focuses solely on the experiences of women of color.

Question 37

Which of the following is a limitation of using quantitative data alone to study health inequalities?

Accepted Answer

It can be challenging to capture the subjective experiences of individuals.

Answer

It is too expensive to collect.

Answer

It is not reliable.

Question 38

What is the ultimate objective of addressing health inequalities?

Accepted Answer

Creating a more just and equitable society where individuals have an equal opportunity to achieve optimal health.

Answer

Reducing healthcare costs.

Question 39

Which of the following is NOT considered a key social determinant of health?

Accepted Answer

Age

Answer

Race and ethnicity

Answer

Education level

Answer

Socioeconomic status

Question 40

The concept of intersectionality recognizes that:

Accepted Answer

Individuals experience multiple and overlapping forms of social disadvantage that cumulatively affect their health.

Answer

Race and gender are the only factors that contribute to health disparities.

Answer

Health inequalities are solely determined by socioeconomic status.

Question 41

The Marmot Review on Health Inequalities concluded that:

Accepted Answer

Reducing health inequalities requires addressing both individual and societal factors.

Answer

Health inequalities are inevitable and cannot be eliminated.

Answer

Government intervention is not necessary to reduce health disparities.

Question 42

Which of the following is a criticism of the 'lifestyle explanation' of health inequalities?

Accepted Answer

It ignores the role of structural factors in shaping individual behaviors.

Answer

It provides a comprehensive explanation of health disparities.

Answer

It is based on sound scientific evidence.

Question 43

The concept of 'upstream' interventions for reducing health inequalities refers to:

Accepted Answer

Addressing the root causes of health disparities, such as poverty and discrimination.

Answer

Providing medical treatments to individuals with poor health.

Answer

Educating individuals about healthy behaviors.

Question 44

Which of the following is a potential consequence of health inequalities?

Accepted Answer

Reduced economic productivity

Answer

Improved educational attainment

Answer

Increased social cohesion

Question 45

The World Health Organization defines health equity as:

Accepted Answer

The absence of unfair and avoidable differences in health.

Answer

The equal distribution of health resources.

Answer

The provision of universal healthcare coverage.

Question 46

Which of the following is a key characteristic of health inequalities?

Accepted Answer

They are socially patterned and avoidable.

Answer

They are caused solely by individual behaviors.

Answer

They are inevitable and cannot be reduced.

Answer

They are randomly distributed across populations.

Question 47

The social gradient in health refers to:

Accepted Answer

The consistent pattern of worse health outcomes among individuals with lower socioeconomic status.

Answer

The equal distribution of health across all social groups.

Answer

The lack of association between socioeconomic status and health.

Question 48

Which of the following is NOT considered a key social determinant of health?

Accepted Answer

IQ

Answer

Access to healthcare

Answer

Socioeconomic status

Answer

Education level

Question 49

The root causes of health inequalities primarily stem from:

Accepted Answer

Unequal distribution of resources, opportunities, and power

Answer

Random chance or bad luck

Answer

Solely the result of individual lifestyle choices

Answer

Genetic predisposition alone

Question 50

Which of the following exemplifies a health inequality?

Accepted Answer

Lower life expectancy and higher infant mortality rates in marginalized communities

Answer

Everyone enjoys equal health outcomes regardless of their social position

Answer

Health disparities based on ethnicity and race do not exist

Answer

Access to healthcare is identical for all individuals

Question 51

Health inequalities can lead to a range of negative societal consequences, including:

Accepted Answer

Reduced economic productivity, increased crime rates, and heightened social unrest

Answer

Improved overall economic growth and prosperity

Answer

Greater social cohesion and harmony

Question 52

The 'Marmot Review' (2010) proposed various recommendations to mitigate health inequalities. Which of the following was NOT one of them?

Accepted Answer

Increased military expenditure and enhanced surveillance

Answer

Reduced income inequality

Answer

Investment in early years interventions

Answer

Improved housing conditions

Question 53

Intersectionality recognizes that:

Accepted Answer

Multiple forms of discrimination and oppression can overlap and interact, shaping health outcomes

Answer

Health inequalities only affect one social group in isolation

Answer

Discrimination based on certain characteristics is inherently more severe than others

Question 54

Critical race theory can be applied to analyze health inequalities by:

Accepted Answer

Examining how systemic racism and white supremacy influence health outcomes

Answer

Ignoring the role of race and ethnicity in shaping health disparities

Answer

Attributing health inequalities solely to individual behaviors and choices

Question 55

A limitation of using quantitative data to measure health inequalities is that it:

Accepted Answer

May overlook the subjective experiences and perspectives of individuals

Answer

Allows for the establishment of causal relationships

Answer

Always provides precise and objective data

Question 56

Addressing health inequalities effectively requires:

Accepted Answer

Collaborative efforts involving governments, communities, and individuals, addressing the multifaceted factors that contribute to health disparities

Answer

Simple and short-term solutions that focus solely on individual responsibility

Answer

Punitive measures against those who experience poor health outcomes