A vulnerable population can be defined as a population that is at risk of poor physical, psychological, and/or social health. Looking further into the definition of a vulnerable population, being ‘at risk’ suggests a high probability of illness and inappropriate or no healthcare. According to Ferrel & Coyle (2010), “people who are poor constitute a vulnerable population, a term used in community health to describe social groups at greater risk for adverse health outcomes. The causes of this vulnerability are typically low socioeconomic status and lack of access to resources” (pg. 661). The very factors that contribute to vulnerability in populations serve as barriers to their ability to access palliative and hospice care at the end of life.
This essay will offer the rational for selecting this particular group and critically discuss their vulnerability. This essay will also discuss the factors that relate to their vulnerability as well as the impact this has on their overall health and wellbeing. This will be followed by discussions of
These people are at a higher risk then most others as they have low levels of education, certain disabilities and also their poor health status in their towns,
The notion of groups “at risk” for poor health differs from vulnerable populations. “A population at risk is a population with a common identified risk factor or risk exposure that poses a threat to health (Stanhope & Lancaster, 2014, p. 189). For example, a population at risk for cardiovascular disease consists of all adults who are overweight and hypertensive (Stanhope &
Priority population groups refer to the groups within the population that are significantly disadvantaged or are in more risk of illness or chronic disease. These groups are determined by the study of Epidemiology which is studied by observing the health and illness patterns as well as the associated factors dealing with the population. This gives us an accurate overview of who needs more attention within the population. It also gives us an insight in the apparent causes of illness and disease, distribution as well as the prevalence and incidence of the disease. Through epidemiology we have found that the population groups needing attention are; People living in Rural or Remote Areas, Overseas Born People, People with Disabilities, The Elderly, Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander People (the Indigenous) and Socioeconomically Disadvantaged People (low SES).
The United States of America is the place known to many as the land of the free, home of the brave, and the place to start a better life. With any place that has good qualities, some have not so good qualities. The homeless population in the United States is at a staggering high, and many individuals are suffering because many lack employment/financial resources, housing resources, support from family and friends, and others negligence; such as natural disasters or fires. Homeless individuals may have no other choice than to live on the streets, trains, and alley ways to name a few places where homeless people seek shelter. The history of homelessness, social problems, demographics, common clinical
Vulnerability is defined as susceptibility or increased risk for health problems (DeChesnay, 2008). A group of individuals are considered at higher risk for illness when their physical, emotional, psychological, or social health, is compromised (Aday, 2001). There are many leading causes for why a population is considered at higher risk; socioeconomic, age, gender, demographics, personal, and cultural backgrounds are some of the key factors (Aday, 2001; Sebation, 1996). Individuals can become vulnerable at any time because of change in life circumstances, placing them at higher risk. One group
Healthy communities depend on the promotion of collaboration between health care providers, equitable utilization of health care resources and access to care for disease prevention. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) has increased access to insurance, but has not necessarily contributed to increased access to care (Lane et al., 2012). Limited access to health care and insurance, along with socioeconomic status, ethnicity, race, gender, sexual identity, and age contribute to health care disparities in the United States ("Disparities," 2014). The Appalachian Region has many factors that increase the risk of health disparities among this population, including poverty, unemployment, limited access to care,
access to health, or living below poverty. However, there is a group of them that suffers
Community nursing is a very challenging, yet vital and important aspect of nursing for the community in the borough of Brooklyn, NY. It is located on the southwestern end of Long Island, southeastern of New York and it is connected to Manhattan by three bridges (Brooklyn Bridge, Manhattan Bridge and Verrazano Bridge). Brooklyn is separated from Manhattan by the East River (Britannica, 2017) and it is considered the largest of the five boroughs in New York City with an estimated population of about 2,629,150 in 2016. Its width is approximately 71 square miles with 52.6% female, and 47.4 male residences in 2016 (Census.gov, 2016). It is highly populated, with the ethnic makeup
In this assignment I will select a vulnerable population sub-group and consider how social science contributes to understanding the social problems encountered by this group. I will do this by firstly explaining and identifying and locating the chosen sub group within the broader societal context. Next by explaining why the chosen sub group is considered to be vulnerable with reference to relevant theory and research based evidence. Then I will be identifying and explaining the role of relevant agencies, both non-governmental organisations and governmental in relation to welfare provision for the chosen sub group. Finally I will discussing the role of social science in informing public health and welfare practice in relation to the chosen
Social Vulnerability refers to risk as its primary element (Scanlon & Lee, 2007). Every individual is exposed to risk factors therefore; everyone is potentially vulnerable to health problems (Scanlon & Lee, 2007). Social vulnerability consists of various economic, democratic, and cultural variables in relation to an individual’s likelihood of becoming ill (Scanlon & Lee, 2007). The degree of social vulnerability is that an individual experience is greatly reliant on their personal capacity to tolerate adverse influences (Scanlon & Lee, 2007). Each individual will have different strategies and abilities in coping, resisting, and recovering from situations that could result in social vulnerability (Scanlon & Lee, 2007).
Vulnerable population means a group of population that at greater risk of developing health problems due to their less awareness, availability, and access to needed resources to fulfill their healthy wellbeing requirements. Elderly population, pregnant women, homeless person, population with suicide or homicide prone behavior, substance abuser, persons living with infectious diseases such as HIV/AIDS, disable and chronically ill patients fall under vulnerable population group. “vulnerable populations are those with a greater than average risk of developing health problems by virtue of their marginalized sociocultural status, their limited access to economic resources or their personal characteristics such as age and gender”(Chesnay, M. &. Anderson, B. 2012). People with lower incomes and less education tend to be at higher risk for health problems.
These vulnerable populations according to Shi and Stevens (2005) experience disparities in access to care and have poorer health status than the population as a whole.
Minorities are more likely to face health challenges than White Americans. Their low income, minority status, language barriers, and cultural habits can cause problems accessing to health care. Minorities also have fewer Medicare beneficiaries such as fewer medical screenings, ambulatory and physician visits, and flu shots than White Americans (Shi & Singh, 2017). Medicare covers those who are 65 and over, disabled, and End State Renal Disease (Begay, Chapter 6 Lecture, Mar 21). Some minorities are undocumented immigrants that do not qualify for Medicaid, which covers for the poor, and cannot purchase marketplace coverage (Begay, Chapter 13 Lecture, Mar 30). Low income is usually connected to poor health. Since most minorities are more likely to work a low-income job, it requires more physical activity which can cause injuries and they are less likely to have health insurance.
Vulnerable population is not limited to a specific disease, race, income, or gender. There are different situations that can cause an individual to be classified into this category. A Vulnerable population can also include the neighborhood where an individual resides because healthcare resources may be limited. The focus of this will include the understanding of how the different biases affect the delivery of healthcare to individuals. It will also include a self-reflection of the learning prior and post about the population. It will identify a character and describe how he or she may be identified in a vulnerable population.