How can public health practice contribute to reducing inequities in global health?

• A. Expanding universal school meals
• B. Providing only high-end clinics
• C. Reducing surveillance for disparities
• D. Addressing social determinants of health

Answer: (D)

Addressing social determinants of health focuses on the upstream factors that drive inequities—where people are born, grow, work, live, and age, plus the systems that shape those conditions. Public health practice reduces global health inequities by shaping policies and programs that improve living conditions: safe housing, clean water and sanitation, adequate nutrition, education access, stable employment, and equitable access to healthcare. When these broad conditions improve, health outcomes rise across entire communities, narrowing gaps between groups over time. For instance, programs that support early childhood development, improve housing quality, and boost educational opportunities create lasting health benefits and reduce disparities. While universal school meals help with nutrition and learning, they address only one aspect of the broader set of determinants. Likewise, building only high-end clinics or reducing surveillance would either miss underserved populations or hide existing gaps. So, focusing on social determinants provides the most comprehensive path to reducing inequities in global health.