A person's genetic code has a greater impact than their zip code on life expectancy at birth.

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Question restatement: A person's genetic code has a greater impact than their zip code on life expectancy at birth. Options: True, False.
Option 1: True. This claim attributes life expectancy at birth primarily to genetics, downplaying environmental and social factors. In reality, research consistently shows that social determinants of health—such as access to healthcare, nutrition, housing, education, income, and neighborhood conditions (often captured by zip code)—exert substantial influence on life expectancy outcomes, especially at birth. While genetics do play a role in certain congenital or hereditary conditions, the magnitude of disparity linked to where someone lives, which reflects multiple social and environmental exposures, often outweighs genetic differences across populations. Therefore, asserting that genetics have a greater impact than zip code oversimplifies the interplay of biology and environment and is not supported by broad epidemiological evidence.
Option 2: False. This statement contends that genetics do not have the greater impact compared to zip code, aligning with the view that environmental and social determinants strongly shape early-life health outcomes. Neighborhood-level factors—such as pollution exposure, access to prenatal care, economic resources, stress, and safety—contribute to differences in life expectancy at birth. While genetics can influence susceptibility to certain conditions, the accumulation of non-genetic factors associated with ZIP code tends to explain a large portion of the variation observed in life expectancy across populations. In this sense, the claim minimizes the dominant role of environmental and social contexts, but it accurately reflects the consensus that non-genetic factors have a substantial, often larger, impact on birth-life expectancy disparities.

25F-PUB HLT-C150-LEC-1 Second Midterm Exam: Wednesday, December 3

A person's genetic code has a greater impact than their zip code on life expectancy at birth.

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