Final answer:
The greatest impact on health, according to the CDC, comes from a mixture of lifestyle choices, environmental factors, personal decisions, and resources. Disparities in health emerge from these factors differing across social, ethnic, and gender lines, influenced by cultural and historical contexts. The rise in life expectancy demonstrates the importance of public health measures and medical advancements.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to the CDC, the factors that have the greatest impact on health are a complex interplay of various elements. These elements can be broadly categorized into lifestyle choices, environmental factors, personal decisions, and access to health care resources.
Lifestyle choices such as diet, exercise, and avoidance of risky behaviors like tobacco consumption directly affect health and longevity.
Environmental influences, including living conditions and community resources, shape a person's overall health and wellbeing. Access to and quality of health care services also play a critical role in determining health outcomes.
Health disparities among racial, ethnic, and gender groups in the United States are often due to these various factors, where some groups may have less access to healthy living conditions or health care.
Historical and social contexts further impact these disparities by influencing personal decisions and available resources.
Lastly, the rise in life expectancy highlights the importance of public health measures such as clean water systems, public behavior modifications, and medical advancements like immunizations.
Overall, it is challenging to pinpoint a single factor, as health is influenced by a biopsychosocial model that considers the interaction of physical, mental, and social aspects.
Studies, such as those by Franz Boas, support the conclusion that health is multidimensional and deeply intertwined with one's surrounding environment and societal structures.