Under Section 1557, discrimination is prohibited based on which characteristic?

• A. Sex
• B. Race
• C. Age
• D. Health status

Answer: (A)

Section 1557 protects people from discrimination in health programs and activities on several bases, including sex, race, color, national origin, age, disability, and health status. Sex is the correct answer because it is explicitly named as a protected characteristic in the statute. This means healthcare providers and programs cannot treat someone differently or deny care simply because of their sex, and this protection extends to related considerations that fall under sex discrimination in practice. The other options—race, age, and health status—are also protected under Section 1557, but the question highlights sex as the example of a prohibited basis. In real-world terms, a health program or provider cannot discriminate based on sex when delivering services or eligibility.