Which of the following is NOT listed as a factor affecting health?

• A. Genetic inheritance
• B. Race and ethnicity; culture
• C. Health literacy
• D. Blood sugar level

Answer: (D)

Understanding what counts as a factor that affects health helps, because some things shape our risk, access to care, and daily health choices, while others are measurements of how healthy we are right now. Genetic inheritance, race and ethnicity; culture, and health literacy all influence health. They affect susceptibility to conditions, exposure to risks, beliefs and behaviors, and how well someone can obtain and use health information. Blood sugar level, however, is a health status indicator. It reflects how well the body manages glucose, which can signal conditions like diabetes, but it is not a factor that drives health outcomes in the same way as genetics, social factors, or literacy do.