Final answer:
The relatively poor health outcomes in the United States are majorly attributed to economic inequality and inadequate healthcare access, as these social conditions create a cycle of disadvantage that affects nutrition, living conditions, and overall well-being.
Step-by-step explanation:
In assessing the relatively poor health outcomes in the United States, we see that they correlate significantly with social conditions rather than solely medical issues. Based on multiple sources, including the analysis of global inequality studies by sociologists Neckerman and Torche, two major social conditions play a pivotal role in shaping the nation's health disparities: economic inequality and inadequate healthcare access. Economic inequality leads to situations where individuals face challenges like poor diet, unhealthy living and working environments, and a general lack of wealth that is tied to various health issues. This, in turn, is interconnected with inadequate healthcare access, where those in poverty-stricken areas might not have the financial means or geographical access to quality health care, further exacerbating the cycle of poor health outcomes.
Moreover, other factors intensify these disparities, such as racism, sexism, and lack of education. Individuals in disadvantaged communities often struggle with getting quality prenatal care, accessing nutritious foods, and facing disproportionate amounts of mental or physical disabilities. The limited access to health care services amplifies these issues, leading to higher instances of diseases associated with poor nutrition and other health-compromising conditions. The final answer, in this case, is option b: Economic inequality and inadequate healthcare access are the two social conditions largely contributing to poorer health in the United States.