Which factor is NOT considered a social determinant of health?

The factor identified as not being a social determinant of health is genetic background. Social determinants of health refer to conditions in which individuals are born, grow, work, live, and age, and they encompass a range of factors that influence health outcomes and inequalities. These include aspects like education level, housing quality, and social support systems—elements that are shaped by societal and environmental contexts.

Genetic background, on the other hand, pertains to inherited traits that individuals have from their parents. While genetics undeniably play a significant role in health, they do so independently of the social and environmental conditions that characterize social determinants. Understanding this distinction is crucial because it highlights how social factors can be modified through policies and interventions, whereas genetic factors are inherent and not subject to change through social influences. Therefore, genetic background does not fit within the framework of social determinants of health.