North Carolina Public Health Agencies, Disparities, And Policy Frameworks Practice Exam

This question tests understanding of what counts as a social risk factor in eligibility decisions. Social risk factors are non-medical conditions in the person’s social and economic environment that can make it harder to achieve or maintain health and to access care. Housing instability fits this because it reflects the social and economic context people live in—such as not having stable housing, potential eviction, or frequent moves—which can cause stress, disrupt routines, and create barriers to storing medications, keeping appointments, or following through with care. These factors are about living conditions and resources, not about a person’s medical measurements or demographic traits. In contrast, age is a demographic characteristic, blood pressure is a clinical health indicator, and vaccination status relates to preventive care history. So housing instability is the example that illustrates a social risk factor.