Many factors that affect health can have disproportionate effects on vulnerable groups, such as those with low socioeconomic status, women, racial and ethnic minorities, people who are disabled, and those who are LGBTQ. Factors such as educational opportunity, geography, food and housing security, safety, and environmental conditions are often beyond a person's direct control. Exploring these determinants of health, the disparities that arise from them, and policies that attempt to improve equity by addressing them are active areas of research.