Which of the following is NOT listed as a contributor to health disparities?

• A. Limited healthcare access
• B. Poverty
• C. Discrimination
• D. High patient satisfaction.

Answer: (D)

Health disparities come from unequal access to resources and systemic barriers that shape health outcomes across populations. Limited healthcare access directly reduces timely preventive and therapeutic care, leading to worse health results. Poverty influences many determinants of health, such as living conditions, nutrition, stress, and the ability to afford medications or transportation to care. Discrimination produces biased treatment, mistrust, and avoidance of care, all of which contribute to poorer outcomes for affected groups. High patient satisfaction, however, reflects how patients feel about their care experience and does not by itself drive differences in health outcomes. It can vary independently of actual care quality and health status, so it isn’t considered a contributor to health disparities.