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Socioeconomic Health Factors

Meaning

Socioeconomic Health Factors encompass the non-medical determinants of an individual’s health status, including income, education level, occupation, social support networks, and access to quality healthcare and nutritious food. These factors exert a profound influence on physiological processes, often acting as chronic stressors that contribute to allostatic load and hormonal dysregulation. Clinically, recognizing and accounting for these external determinants is essential for developing realistic and effective personalized health strategies. A comprehensive clinical approach must address the context of a patient’s life, not just their biochemistry.