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HMS, HIC EQ-Bank 018 MC

A long-term study of Australian adults found that individuals who experienced childhood trauma were more likely to develop anxiety disorders in adulthood. This relationship remained significant even when controlling for education level, income and current lifestyle factors.

Further analysis revealed that these individuals exhibited altered stress hormone responses and changes in brain structure compared to those without trauma history.

Which combination of health determinants best explains this complex health outcome?

  1. Biomedical factors and environmental factors
  2. Health behaviours and socioeconomic characteristics
  3. Broad features of society and health behaviours
  4. Environmental factors and health behaviours

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\(A\)

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  • A is correct. The altered stress hormone responses and brain changes represent biomedical factors (physiological changes), while childhood trauma represents environmental factors (early life exposures). 

    Other options:

  • B is incorrect because while education and income (socioeconomic characteristics) are mentioned, the study controlled for these factors, indicating they aren’t the primary explanatory variables. 
  • C is incorrect because broad features of society aren’t specifically addressed, and health behaviours were controlled for in the analysis.
  • D is incorrect because while environmental factors (childhood trauma) are key, health behaviours were controlled for, suggesting they aren’t primary explanatory factors for the relationship.

HMS, HIC EQ-Bank 016 MC

A 50-year-old woman undergoes genetic testing and discovers she carries the BRCA1 gene mutation. Her doctor recommends more frequent breast cancer screenings as a preventative measure.

This scenario most directly relates to which determinant of health?

  1. Broad features of society
  2. Environmental factors
  3. Biomedical factors
  4. Health behaviours

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\(C\)

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  • C is correct. Genetic predispositions, such as carrying the BRCA1 gene mutation, are biomedical factors. These are physiological characteristics that influence health outcomes.

Other options:

  • A is incorrect as broad features of society relate to cultural and policy aspects of health.
  • B is incorrect as environmental factors relate to external exposures rather than genetic makeup.
  • D is incorrect as health behaviours relate to actions rather than genetic characteristics.

HMS, HIC EQ-Bank 015 MC

A 35-year-old male is diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes despite maintaining a healthy diet and regular exercise routine. His doctor explains that his condition is related to his body's inability to produce insulin.

Which determinant of health is primarily responsible for his condition?

  1. Health behaviours
  2. Biomedical factors
  3. Environmental factors
  4. Socioeconomic characteristics

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\(B\)

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  • B is correct because diabetes is a biomedical factor \(\Rightarrow\) it relates to physiological and pathological processes in the body.

Other options:

  • A is incorrect because the scenario explicitly states that despite healthy behaviours, the man developed diabetes.
  • C is incorrect as there is no indication of environmental influence in this case.
  • D is incorrect as socioeconomic status is not mentioned as contributing to the condition.

HMS, HIC EQ-Bank 014 MC

A 45-year-old female attends her general practitioner for a check-up. The doctor notices she has gained 8kg since her last visit and recommends she increases her daily physical activity levels from 15 minutes to 30 minutes.

Which determinant of health is the doctor primarily addressing?

  1. Biomedical factors
  2. Environmental factors
  3. Health behaviours
  4. Socioeconomic characteristics

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\(C\)

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  • C is correct because an increase in physical activity is a health behaviour. Physical activity is an action that individuals can choose to engage in that directly affects their health status.

Other options:

  • A is incorrect as biomedical factors relate to genetic, physiological, or pathological aspects.
  • B is incorrect as environmental factors relate to surroundings rather than individual actions.
  • D is incorrect as socioeconomic characteristics relate to social and economic standing.

HMS, HIC EQ-Bank 013 MC

A recent health study found that 31% of Australians aged 14 and over consumed alcohol in ways that put their health at risk in 2022-2023. This is lower than in 2004, when the figure was 39%.

Which health determinant is directly being measured in this study?

  1. Broad features of society
  2. Environmental factors
  3. Socioeconomic characteristics
  4. Health behaviours

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\(D\)

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  • D is correct because the study is measuring alcohol consumption patterns, which is a health behaviour.

  • Health behaviours refer to actions individuals take that affect their health, such as alcohol consumption, smoking, physical activity and dietary choices.

Other options:

  • A is incorrect as broad features of society refers to cultural norms, policies and societal structures.
  • B is incorrect as environmental factors relate to physical, chemical, biological and built environments.
  • C is incorrect as socioeconomic characteristics refer to income, education and occupation.