AAMC FL Practice Exam

What term refers to the ways that socioeconomic factors interrelate with health outcomes?

1. Context effects

2. Socioeconomic gradient in health

3. Cultural transmission

4. Recall cues

The correct answer is: Socioeconomic gradient in health

The term that refers to the ways socioeconomic factors interrelate with health outcomes is the socioeconomic gradient in health. This concept illustrates how health outcomes vary systematically with socioeconomic status, indicating that individuals with higher socioeconomic status tend to have better health and longer life expectancies, while those with lower socioeconomic status often experience poorer health outcomes. This gradient reflects a complex interplay among various factors, including access to resources, healthcare, education, and environmental conditions, all of which are influenced by one's socioeconomic position. Importantly, it highlights not just the disparity in health outcomes but also the broader social determinants that contribute to these differences. Understanding this gradient is crucial for addressing health inequalities and developing targeted health interventions. The other terms do not encapsulate this relationship as accurately. Context effects typically refer to the influence of surrounding conditions on behavior or perception, cultural transmission involves the sharing of knowledge and practices across generations, and recall cues pertain to triggers that aid in memory retrieval, none of which specifically address the interaction of socioeconomic factors and health outcomes.