Which of the following is a strength of the social model of health?

• A. It focuses solely on biomedical treatment
• B. It ignores education
• C. It addresses only individuals
• D. It is less expensive than the biomedical approach and can target whole populations

Answer: (D)

The social model of health emphasizes the ways that people’s living conditions, education, income, housing, environment, and social supports shape health outcomes. Its strength lies in addressing health at the population level—changing the determinants and environments that influence health for many people, not just treating illness after it occurs. By focusing on prevention and upstream factors, it can reduce the demand for costly medical care and interventions, making it a more economical approach overall while still benefiting whole communities. This is why describing it as being less expensive than the biomedical approach and able to target whole populations best captures its strength.