Final answer:
In descriptive epidemiology, the characteristics of places that apply include Socioeconomic status, Race/ethnicity, and Geographic location as they are critical in understanding health patterns in populations. so, option 3, 4 and 5 are the correct answer.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question asks to identify which characteristics are relevant to places in descriptive epidemiology. Descriptive epidemiology involves studying the distribution of diseases within populations based on a range of factors, including demographic and geographical elements. While age and gender distributions are indeed characteristics considered within this area of study, they relate to the individual demographics of persons and not the places. Therefore, the applicable characteristics of places in descriptive epidemiology include 3) Socioeconomic status, 4) Race/ethnicity, and 5) Geographic location. These elements play a critical role in understanding patterns and causes of health and disease in specified populations.
In the context of the United States, the current demographic profile, the size and distribution of the Hispanic population, the processes that led to the spatial distribution of African Americans, and the distribution of dominant religious affiliations all intersect with descriptive epidemiology. These demographics can indicate susceptibility to certain diseases, prevalence and incidence of conditions, and help identify effective public health interventions.