America's Health Rankings, United Health Foundation Logo
In addition to the contributions of our individual genetic predispositions to disease, health is the result of:
  • Our behaviors
  • The environment and the community in which we live
  • The policies and practices of our health care, government, and other prevention systems
  • The clinical care we receive
These 4 aspects interact with each other in a complex web of cause and effect, and much of this interaction is just beginning to be fully understood. Understanding these interactions is vital if we are to create the healthy outcomes we desire, including a long, disease-free, robust life for all individuals regardless of race, gender, or socioeconomic status.
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