Characteristics of an individual that contribute to health and health care disparities. Examples of individual factors include culture, socio economic position, biological and clinical characteristics, behaviors and living conditions. For example, a poor person may not have access to preventative health care. Certain cultures or religious groups may have beliefs about the body that hinder access to healthcare or prohibit certain treatments. Those who do not speak English may have trouble communicating with their health care providers, thus preventing optimal care. Biological characteristics linked to health disparities include familial predisposition to certain diseases. Behaviors such as drug abuse can also lead to poor health. Individual factors in combination with environmental, social and health system factors lead to health and healthcare disparities.