SDOH Midterm Exam – 100
Practice Questions with
Correct Answers
Below are 100 original practice questions covering foundational definitions, the WHO
Conceptual Framework, historical reports, applied scenarios, health equity, and systemic
issues for your Social Determinants of Health Midterm Exam.
SECTION 1: FOUNDATIONAL DEFINITIONS (Questions 1–20)
Question 1
What are social determinants of health (SDOH)?
• A) Genetic and biological factors that influence health
• B) Economic and social conditions that shape the health of individuals,
communities, and jurisdictions as a whole
• C) Individual lifestyle choices that determine health status
• D) The availability of hospitals and clinics
Answer: B
Rationale: SDOH are the economic and social conditions that shape health. A social
determinants approach directs attention to how society organizes and distributes
economic and social resources .
Question 2
Since the mid-19th century, what have been known as the primary determinants of
health?
, • A) Genetic inheritance
• B) Living conditions
• C) Access to physicians
• D) Individual willpower
Answer: B
Rationale: Living conditions have been recognized as primary determinants of health
since the mid-19th century .
Question 3
What is the primary conceptual distinction between health disparities and health equity?
• A) Health disparities refer to measurable differences in health outcomes,
whereas health equity is the ethical principle and process of assuring
everyone has a fair opportunity to attain their full health potential
• B) Health disparities are entirely genetically driven
• C) Health equity focuses solely on hospital funding
• D) There is no conceptual difference
Answer: A
Rationale: Health disparities are measurable differences in health outcomes, while
health equity is the ethical principle and process of assuring fair opportunity for
everyone to attain full health potential .
Question 4
What is "health inequity"?
• A) Any measurable difference in health status
• B) Differences in health status or distribution of health resources arising
from social conditions that are unfair and avoidable
• C) Random variations in health outcomes
• D) Differences caused solely by genetics
Answer: B
,Rationale: Health inequity refers to differences in health status or distribution of health
resources between population groups arising from social conditions that are unfair and
could be reduced by the right mix of government policies .
Question 5
What is the primary definition of health literacy?
• A) The ability to read medical journals fluently
• B) The degree to which individuals have the capacity to obtain, process, and
understand basic health information needed to make appropriate health
decisions
• C) Having health insurance
• D) Knowing medical terminology
Answer: B
Rationale: Health literacy is obtaining, processing, and understanding basic health
information needed to make appropriate health decisions .
Question 6
What is a "health disparity"?
• A) Differences in health linked to biology and genetics
• B) Differences in health linked to social disadvantage
• C) Differences in health linked to behaviors
• D) Differences in health linked to childhood illness
Answer: B
Rationale: A health disparity is defined as differences in health linked to social
disadvantage. These are systematic, plausibly avoidable health differences adversely
affecting socially disadvantaged groups .
, Question 7
What is "health equality"?
• A) Everyone gets different resources based on need
• B) Everyone gets the same resources regardless of need
• C) Everyone achieves the same health outcomes
• D) Everyone has access to free healthcare
Answer: B
Rationale: Health equality means everyone gets the same resources, while health equity
recognizes that different people need different resources to achieve the same health
outcomes .
Question 8
What is "health equity"?
• A) Everyone gets the same resources
• B) A fair and just opportunity for everyone to achieve optimal health, with
no one disadvantaged from attaining their full health potential
• C) Equal access to hospital services
• D) Free healthcare for all citizens
Answer: B
Rationale: Health equity means that everyone has a fair and just opportunity to be as
healthy as possible, requiring the removal of obstacles to health .
Question 9
What is "cultural humility"?
• A) Knowing everything about a culture
• B) A process of self-reflection and discovery that builds honest and
trustworthy relationships
• C) Avoiding discussions about culture
• D) Treating all patients exactly the same
Practice Questions with
Correct Answers
Below are 100 original practice questions covering foundational definitions, the WHO
Conceptual Framework, historical reports, applied scenarios, health equity, and systemic
issues for your Social Determinants of Health Midterm Exam.
SECTION 1: FOUNDATIONAL DEFINITIONS (Questions 1–20)
Question 1
What are social determinants of health (SDOH)?
• A) Genetic and biological factors that influence health
• B) Economic and social conditions that shape the health of individuals,
communities, and jurisdictions as a whole
• C) Individual lifestyle choices that determine health status
• D) The availability of hospitals and clinics
Answer: B
Rationale: SDOH are the economic and social conditions that shape health. A social
determinants approach directs attention to how society organizes and distributes
economic and social resources .
Question 2
Since the mid-19th century, what have been known as the primary determinants of
health?
, • A) Genetic inheritance
• B) Living conditions
• C) Access to physicians
• D) Individual willpower
Answer: B
Rationale: Living conditions have been recognized as primary determinants of health
since the mid-19th century .
Question 3
What is the primary conceptual distinction between health disparities and health equity?
• A) Health disparities refer to measurable differences in health outcomes,
whereas health equity is the ethical principle and process of assuring
everyone has a fair opportunity to attain their full health potential
• B) Health disparities are entirely genetically driven
• C) Health equity focuses solely on hospital funding
• D) There is no conceptual difference
Answer: A
Rationale: Health disparities are measurable differences in health outcomes, while
health equity is the ethical principle and process of assuring fair opportunity for
everyone to attain full health potential .
Question 4
What is "health inequity"?
• A) Any measurable difference in health status
• B) Differences in health status or distribution of health resources arising
from social conditions that are unfair and avoidable
• C) Random variations in health outcomes
• D) Differences caused solely by genetics
Answer: B
,Rationale: Health inequity refers to differences in health status or distribution of health
resources between population groups arising from social conditions that are unfair and
could be reduced by the right mix of government policies .
Question 5
What is the primary definition of health literacy?
• A) The ability to read medical journals fluently
• B) The degree to which individuals have the capacity to obtain, process, and
understand basic health information needed to make appropriate health
decisions
• C) Having health insurance
• D) Knowing medical terminology
Answer: B
Rationale: Health literacy is obtaining, processing, and understanding basic health
information needed to make appropriate health decisions .
Question 6
What is a "health disparity"?
• A) Differences in health linked to biology and genetics
• B) Differences in health linked to social disadvantage
• C) Differences in health linked to behaviors
• D) Differences in health linked to childhood illness
Answer: B
Rationale: A health disparity is defined as differences in health linked to social
disadvantage. These are systematic, plausibly avoidable health differences adversely
affecting socially disadvantaged groups .
, Question 7
What is "health equality"?
• A) Everyone gets different resources based on need
• B) Everyone gets the same resources regardless of need
• C) Everyone achieves the same health outcomes
• D) Everyone has access to free healthcare
Answer: B
Rationale: Health equality means everyone gets the same resources, while health equity
recognizes that different people need different resources to achieve the same health
outcomes .
Question 8
What is "health equity"?
• A) Everyone gets the same resources
• B) A fair and just opportunity for everyone to achieve optimal health, with
no one disadvantaged from attaining their full health potential
• C) Equal access to hospital services
• D) Free healthcare for all citizens
Answer: B
Rationale: Health equity means that everyone has a fair and just opportunity to be as
healthy as possible, requiring the removal of obstacles to health .
Question 9
What is "cultural humility"?
• A) Knowing everything about a culture
• B) A process of self-reflection and discovery that builds honest and
trustworthy relationships
• C) Avoiding discussions about culture
• D) Treating all patients exactly the same
