...Vulnerable Populations in Current Events Paper Nursing 440- Health Assessment and Promotion for Vulnerable Population July 21, 2014 Deanna Radford Vulnerable Populations in Current Events Paper According to De Chesnay and Anderson (2012), there has been an increased recognition of not only identifying and understanding vulnerability but in gaining the skills needed to help these populations. Furthermore, De Chesnay and Anderson (2012) states that there is a call to go beyond just helping the vulnerable, empowering them in an effort to provide more sustainable outcomes. A discussion was made recent periodical on a vulnerable population. The vulnerable population is defined, and barriers from obtaining needed services are discussed. The author describes experiences with vulnerable populations in her own life. Vulnerable Population Recent periodical discussing a vulnerable population The manuscript by Sanders, Schneiderman, Loken, Lankenau, and Bloom (2009) identifies gang youth as a vulnerable population. Sanders et al. (2009) discusses risk factors of being in a gang, examples of which are deprived socioeconomic backgrounds, living in communities with a long history of drug sales, crime, and gang activity. This gang youth are considered vulnerable as are 60 times more likely to be killed than the rest of the population. Sanders et al. (2009) considers gang youth to be a vulnerable population “because of their relatively poor social and economic...
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...Vulnerable Populations Jennifer Maas NUR/440 August 11, 2011 Marie Fagan MN, RN Vulnerable Populations Vulnerable populations are social groups who experience health disparities as a result of a lack of resources and risk factors. In this paper the vulnerable group of the homeless will be discussed. The homeless population has many barriers that make obtaining healthcare a challenge. This paper will discuss the barriers and personal experiences with this demographic group. Vulnerable Population Definition Vulnerability and vulnerable populations are significant issues in today's health care system. Vulnerable populations are social groups who experience health disparities as a result of a lack of resources and increased exposure to risk. Vulnerable populations are those who are made vulnerable by their financial circumstances or place of residence, health, age, personal characteristics, functional or developmental status, mental or physical status (Goliath on Demand, 2011). The homeless is one of the many vulnerable population groups and is a very problematic issue currently. Barriers of the Homeless There are many barriers of the homeless however the one that stands out is the lack of access to health care. Many of the homeless live on the streets in dirty, filthy conditions which put them are risk for illness. They do not have the finical means or insurance to access preventive or acute care if...
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...Vulnerable Populations Vulnerable populations are social groups who experience health disparities as a result of a lack of resources and risk factors. In this paper the vulnerable group of the homeless will be discussed. The homeless population has many barriers that make obtaining healthcare a challenge. This paper will discuss the barriers and personal experiences with this demographic group. Vulnerable Population Definition Vulnerability and vulnerable populations are significant issues in today's health care system. Vulnerable populations are social groups who experience health disparities as a result of a lack of resources and increased exposure to risk. Vulnerable populations are those who are made vulnerable by their financial circumstances or place of residence, health, age, personal characteristics, functional or developmental status, mental or physical status (Goliath on Demand, 2011). The homeless is one of the many vulnerable population groups and is a very problematic issue currently. Barriers of the Homeless There are many barriers of the homeless however the one that stands out is the lack of access to health care. Many of the homeless live on the streets in dirty, filthy conditions which put them are risk for illness. They do not have the finical means or insurance to access preventive or acute care if needed. Many have chronic illness that go untreated and exacerbate and even cause death. Fear, embarrassment and mental disorders also can...
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...Elderly as a Vulnerable Population According To the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary (2002), vulnerability is the Ability to "Be Easily Physically, Emotionally, or mentally hurt, Influenced or attacked." “As one of the faster growing segments of the population, over 70 million American citizens will be considered elderly by 2030 (Centers for the Disease Control and Prevention , 2007).” The United States Census Bureau states that, the Population greater Than 65 years old is growing at a rapid pace and by the year 2050 will duplicate and will increase from 12 to 20 percent of the population. This same percentage will be considered vulnerable population. Currently 40 million of people in the United States are 65 years or older, according to the Census Bureau these numbers will be expected to double by 2050, longevity will increased and this will bring a new number of common diseases which, will make this group more vulnerable. At Any Given Time, anyone can become vulnerable, the composition of the population has changed demographically and the elderly population has increased in recent years because of the development of the science and technology, but with this increment of the elderly population the vulnerability increases as well, due to some factors that this vulnerable population is exposed to, such as increase of the needs, physical and mental limitations, and lack of financial resources. Chronic illnesses increase vulnerability in elderly patients because...
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...What is the difference between a group "at risk" for poor health and a group considered a "vulnerable" population? Provide an example of a group at risk and a group considered a vulnerable population. Explain why members of these groups cannot advocate for themselves or why advocating for these groups would be beneficial. What would you advocate for? 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 & Lancaster, 2014). A population at risk is “characterized by a homogeneously high level of exposure to a single risk factor” (Shi & Singh, 2011, p. 704) and all individuals in an “at risk” group can potentially develop an adverse health condition due to some risk factor. For example, lifestyle-related risk factor such as smoking, places all smokers at risk for developing lung cancer. However, not everyone who is at risk develops health problems. Some individuals are more likely than others to develop health conditions for which they are at risk, which makes them more vulnerable (Stanhope & Lancaster, 2014a. A vulnerable population “is a subgroup of the population that is more likely to develop health problems as a result of exposure to risk...
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...The Homeless as a Vulnerable Population Sara Williams Nur/440 9-5-2011 University of Phoenix The Homeless as a vulnerable population This article discusses a framework for understanding the nature of the homeless population. It discusses four pathways, increased heat waves, and increased air pollution, increases severity of floods and storms, and it also talks about the distribution of the West Nile Virus. The article discusses why the homeless are amongst the most vulnerable groups to be affect by these changes. The homeless are more likely to have a poorly controlled chronic disease, smoking, respiratory conditions, and mental illness, all of which render them vulnerable to new and resurgent disease processes associated with climate change. How would you define vulnerable population Vulnerable populations are those at risk for developing health problems. Someone with poor physical, psychological, or social health. The homeless population is a social group that is vulnerable because the homeless are at increased risk for poor health outcomes. Understanding the nature of homelessness and the relationship between resource availability, relative risks, and health status is critical for nurses to diagnose and treat health-related problems in this vulnerable population (Strehlow & Amos-Jones, 1999). What Barriers may prevent these groups from obtaining needed services The homeless population do not have the resources to get what they need to stay healthy. They...
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...Vulnerable Population and Self-Awareness Vulnerable populations are groups that are not well integrated into the health care system because of ethnic, cultural, economic, geographic, or health characteristics. This isolation puts members of these groups at risk for not obtaining necessary medical care, and thus constitutes a potential threat to their health. Commonly cited examples of vulnerable populations include racial and ethnic minorities, the rural and urban poor, undocumented immigrants, and people with disabilities or multiple chronic conditions. Persons with disabilities and multiple chronic conditions may find it difficult to obtain insurance coverage because small employers cannot afford to add workers to their health plans who are likely to have high medical costs, and finding an affordable insurance plan as an individual with pre-existing conditions is very difficult. The geographic and economic isolation of some poor rural residents may make access to specialty care difficult, even if they are covered by insurance. Finally, prohibitions against public insurance coverage, fear of being discovered, and language barriers are all factors that may keep undocumented immigrants from seeking care. The reasons for disparities are varied. For example, in access to health care, racial and ethnic minorities may lag behind non-Hispanic whites because patterns of residential segregation separate minorities from the supply of providers, because of language and cultural barriers...
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...Two Vulnerable Populations and Their Theories Quanisha Hobley Winston Salem State University Abstract Vulnerability is when an individual loses the ability to fully make informed decisions on his or her own. This paper will discuss the vulnerable population of people with mental illnesses, and the elderly. There are many groups of people that fit the “vulnerable population” category, to include: mentally disabled, socioeconomically disadvantaged, those with physical limitations, children, and the elderly population. Nursing theories should coincide with nursing care. Orem’s self-care deficit theory supports the elderly population. Peplau’s interpersonal theory supports those that suffer with mental illnesses. When I think of a vulnerable population, many population groups come to mind. Any individual that due to conditions, either acute or chronic, who has his or her ability to make informed decisions diminished is considered part of a vulnerable population. Vulnerability is a result of uncontrollable individual factors over which the patient has no influence (Creasia & Friberg, 2011). According to de Chesney & Anderson, Vulnerability is a general concept meaning “susceptibility” and has a specific connotation in health problems (2012). Individuals can become vulnerable at any time of their life because of change in circumstances, placing them at increased risk. One group considered to be a vulnerable population is the elderly. For many years, society...
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...Vulnerable Populations in Current Events Paper NUR/440 Version 4 Health Assessment and Promotion for Vulnerable Population University of Phoenix Vulnerable Populations in Current Events Paper Vulnerability is an important component that nurses need to be familiar with when they’re working with different types of clients from different cultures, values and beliefs. Our jobs as nurses are to be able to identify and enhance the strengths of the patients and community and to help them to choose the right intervention in order to keep a healthy life. Nurses must address issues of vulnerability, because those populations are the most likely to become sick all the time due to the different stressors in their life. Vulnerability can be minor or severe, and as nurses we need to identify and address those different stressors that can cause temporary or permanent damage to our patients. In this paper the author will talk about the article “Gang youth as a vulnerable population for nursing intervention,” which defines a vulnerable population, what barriers may prevent these groups from obtaining needed services, and what the author experiences with vulnerable groups in the author’s own life. This article refers to our youth gang members from different poor communities, especially Chicago and Los Angeles, where we see a big number of youth involved in gangs. Usually, before these youths join the gang, are already exposed to this type of environment, and most of them come from...
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...The Elderly as a Vulnerable Population Lauren M. Lorio NUR/440 April 9, 2012 Maria Mendez The Elderly as a Vulnerable Population 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 considered to be a vulnerable population is the elderly. In the article, “Patterns of Perceived Barriers to Medical Care in Older Adults: a Latent Class Analysis,” authors Joshua M. Thorpe, Carolyn T. Thorpe, Korey A. Kennelty, and Nancy Pandhi (2011), examine various levels concerning barriers to health care accessibility for the elderly population. The purpose of the study is to “…identify risk factors, potentially assisting healthcare organizations with targeting policies and interventions designed to improve access in the most vulnerable older adult populations” (Thorpe et al., 2011, p. 1). Categories of distinct classes of older adults were established in the article, placing Class one at the lowest level of risk for accessibility issues, and...
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...Vulnerable Populations Vulnerable populations are groups of people not well integrated into the health care system because of ethnic, cultural, economic, geographic, or health characteristics. As a result those individuals are in danger of not acquiring medical care there by creating a potential threat to their health. Examples of vulnerable populations include racial and ethnic minorities, elderly, underinsured or uninsured, psychiatric population, immigrants, children, and people with disabilities or multiple chronic conditions (Urban Institute, 2010). To demonstrate an understanding of the impact vulnerable populations have on the United States health care system, it is important to focus on one particular population, e.g., children. It is important to discuss a description of children demographics, explain why children are classified as vulnerable, what influence does this have on America’s health care, and finally to perform an analysis of how stakeholders are affected by this population. Demographics Gender mix. According to the 2010 census, there were 74.2 million children in the United States, 1.9 million more than in 2000, a number that is anticipated to increase to 87.8 million by 2030. There were approximately equal numbers of children in three age groups: 0–5 (25.5 million), 6–11 (25.0 million), and 12–17 (25.1 million) in 2010 (The United States Census, 2010) Children made up 24% of the population in 2010, down from the “baby boom” (1964). The population of...
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...Epidemiology and Vulnerable Population NUR/408 January 14, 2013 Theresa White Epidemiology and Vulnerable Population This paper will define epidemiology and vulnerable population. The methods and steps involved in the epidemiology process will be discussed. The diseases of a specific vulnerable population and emphasis of one disease will be examined with cultural, ethical, and legal considerations. The epidemiology triangle is explained and evaluating the feasibility of prevention will be explored with definitive steps for prevention. Epidemiology and Vulnerable Population Stanhope and Lancaster (2012) states “epidemiology is the study of the distribution and determinants of health-related events in human populations and the application of this knowledge to improving the health of communities (p. 282). In many communities there populations at risk for to specific health care problems creating a vulnerable population. “Vulnerability is a general concept meaning “susceptibility,” and its specific connotation in terms of health care is at risk for health problems” (De Chesney, 2008, p. 3). As Stanhope and Lancaster (2012) identify “epidemiology is a multidisciplinary enterprise that recognizes the complex interrelationships of factors that influence disease and health at both the individual level and the community level; it provides the basic tools for the study of health and disease in communities” (p. 282). In every community there are vulnerable populations as this...
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...good grasp on the word. As a class we read about the Tuskegee experiments and I knew with certainty that the people involved in these trials were a vulnerable population and had been taken advantage of. Before I was assigned the topic of vulnerability for my class presentation and dived into the readings, it seemed obvious that a clear and concise definition of who is, and is not, considered vulnerable in our population would be made all the more abundantly clear. It was my naive assumption that vulnerability was a science that came with a cohesive checklist....
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...Vulnerable Population and Self Awareness Doreen Carranza NUR/440 August 13, 2012 Vicki Clithero Vulnerable Population and Self Awareness Effective healthcare is dependent on understanding vulnerable individuals and populations with respect to biases and prejudices of healthcare providers. According to de Chesnay (2008), “Vulnerability is a general concept meaning susceptibility, and its specific connotation in terms of healthcare is at risk for health problems” (p. 3). Anyone can be vulnerable at different times in his or her life under specific circumstances. According to de Chesnay (2008), “Vulnerable populations are those at risk for poor physical, psychological, or social health. Anyone can be vulnerable at any given point in time as a result of life circumstances or response to illness or events” (p. 3). In order to render good healthcare, healthcare providers need to be aware of their own vulnerability. This paper will discuss the vulnerable population of the elderly; demographics of the elderly; personal awareness of the elderly including attitudes, biases, and stereotyping prior to studying the elderly; the impact of research on personal attitudes after gathering information, and how knowledge might affect the delivery of healthcare to the elderly. The amount of aging people in the United States continues to increase, in We the American Elderly (1993) it states that: From 1990 to 2020, the elderly population is projected to increase to 54 million persons...
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...Community and public health nursing provide health education, care management and primary care to individuals and families who are members of vulnerable populations and high risk groups. Public health nurse integrate community involvement and knowledge about the entire population with personal clinical understandings of the health and illness experiences of individuals and families within the population. Community and public nurse focus on the prevention of illness, injury or disability, the promotion of health and maintenance of the health of the populations, they work with communities, target health promotion and disease prevention, they act as teachers, counselors and plays an important role in preventing wide spread illness and disease. Community and public health nurses’ goal is to promote, preserve, and maintain the health of populations through the delivery of personal health services to individuals, families, and groups, and also the prevention of disease and disability, to promote and protect the community as a whole. According to Stanhope & Lancaster (2012), nursing has numerous roles including identifying vulnerable individuals and families through outreach and case findings, encouraging vulnerable groups to obtain health services, developing programs that respond to their needs and teaching vulnerable individuals, families and groups strategies to prevent illness and promote health (pg. 728). My community family consists of an African American marriage male and...
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