Which of the following is an example of a social determinant of health?

• A. Zip code
• B. Blood type
• C. Eye color
• D. Cholesterol level

Answer: (A)

Social determinants of health are the conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work, and age, plus the systems and structures that shape daily life, such as housing, education, income, neighborhood safety, and access to care. A ZIP code serves as a practical shorthand for those contextual factors in a given area. It reflects neighborhood features like the availability of healthy foods, opportunities for physical activity, exposure to pollution or unsafe environments, quality of housing, schools, transportation options, and the presence of healthcare facilities and social support. All these external influences can affect stress levels, health behaviors, and access to resources, thereby shaping overall health outcomes. In contrast, blood type and eye color are inherent biological traits, and cholesterol level is a health measure that describes current physiology rather than the social context that influences health. So ZIP code is the best example of a social determinant of health.