Which statement best reflects the Social Model of health?

• A. It emphasizes social and environmental determinants and broad actions to promote health
• B. It focuses solely on treating illness after it occurs
• C. It centers on individual behavior change without community context
• D. It is identical to the Biomedical Approach

Answer: (A)

Health is influenced by many factors beyond biology, including living conditions, income, education, social connections, and the environment. The Social Model of health looks at how these social and environmental determinants shape health outcomes and how broad actions across sectors can create healthier ways of living. It emphasizes not just treating disease, but improving the conditions that prevent illness and reduce inequities—through policies, community involvement, and settings like homes, schools, and workplaces.

That’s why the statement focusing on social and environmental determinants and broad actions to promote health best captures this approach. It contrasts with approaches that center on treating illness after it occurs or on individual behavior alone without considering the wider context, and it isn’t the same as the Biomedical Approach, which mainly targets biological factors and medical treatment.