...Vulnerable Population and Self-Awareness University of Phoenix Vulnerable Population and Self-Awareness The vulnerable population chosen as the focus of this paper are the mentally retarded or intellectually disabled. According to the tenth revision of the WHO (world health Organization): intellectual disability (ID) is a disorder defined by the presence of incomplete or arrested mental development, principally characterized by the deterioration of concrete functions at each stage of development and that contribute to the overall level of intelligence, such as cognitive, language, motor, and socialization functions; in this anomaly, adaptation to the environment is always affected. For ID, the scores for intellectual development levels must be determined based on all the available information, including clinical signs, adaptive behavior in the cultural medium of the individual and psychometric findings (Katz, 2008) There are many causes of intellectual disability, but doctors find a specific reason in only 25% of cases (Mental retardation, 2010). Intellectual disability affects approximately 1-3% of the population. Persons with intellectual disability can expect to live 50 years and beyond depending on the severity of their health problems (Staff, 2009). With early intervention and improved health care, life span continues to increase. Prior to researching mental retardation, my personal awareness was very limited. I have not had much experience or interaction...
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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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...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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...Vulnerable Population and Self-Awareness Charlene Friday NUR/440 July 14, 2014 Maria Mendez 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 (Urban Institute, 2014). The elderly can become more vulnerable for a variety of reasons. Limited options for health care, physical or mental impairments and lack of transportation all contribute to the elderly being classified as a vulnerable population. Demographics involving the elderly include financial status and physical impairments. The majority of the elderly in our country are living on fixed incomes. Most do not have any retirement and rely on social security for their income. These problems place this population in the position of having to choose between basic needs or buying their medication and seeking health care. According to Social indicators research found that elderly with low-income levels have poorer functional capability, lower physical activity and poorer psychological well-being (Arendt, 2005). The elderly account for largest number of poor Americans. Challenges facing the well-being of the elderly are increased by high health care cost and low income that seniors are now facing they are having an even harder time getting by. The majority of states have at least 12 percent of residents over the age of 65. Unfortunately the focus of health...
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...Christopher Abrogena NUR 440 Vulnerable Population and Self- Awareness Professor Nita McGee-Cornelius PhD, PMHNP-BC, MSN, RN 07/15/2013 Introduction “Vulnerability is a general concept meaning “susceptibility” and has a specific connotation in health care—“at risk for health problems.” According to Aday (2001), vulnerable populations are those at risk for poor physical, psychological, or social health. Any person can be at risk statistically by way of having potential for certain illnesses based on genetic predisposition (Scanlon & Lee, 2007)(Chesnay 2012). A vulnerable population that I would like to focus on is the island of the Philippines and its people. There are many factors that make this country and its people vulnerable. Being a third world country, the Philippines have many people that live at or below the poverty level. Many Filipino’s live in areas that are susceptible to disease, flooding, and other factors that endanger their life style. In some of these areas, or provinces, a lot of the houses are made of sheet metal, dirt, and even trash. These living conditions leave Filipino’s vulnerable to disease from the trash, water and the many animals and insects that roam around their living spaces. Demographics As of the 2012, the demographics of the Philippines contained the following statistics. The population of the Philippines is estimated to be around 103,775,002 people. The birth rate is 24.98 births per 1000 people. The infant mortality rate...
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...Vulnerable Population Teenage pregnancy is common, preventable, and associated with negative consequences for both the teenager and the baby. Babies born to teenagers compared to older mothers have “lower birth weights, increased infant mortality, and increased risk of hospital admission, less supportive home environments, poorer cognitive development and if female, a higher risk of becoming pregnant themselves as teenagers” (“Teenage pregnancy: trends, contributing factors and the physician's role.,” 2007, para 1.). Teenaged mothers have a tendency to feel isolated because their friends are out having fun and these mothers are at home taking care of the baby. They also have an increase in mental health problems and have fewer educational and employment opportunities. (“Teenage pregnancy: trends, contributing factors and the physician's role.,” 2007). Demographics In the United States, teenage birth rate has seen a decline of eight percent from 2007 through 2009, reaching a historic low at 39.1 births per 1,000 teens aged 15 – 19 years. Birth rate for this age group fell in nearly all races in 2009 and were at the lowest levels ever reported in the United States (CDC: Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 2012). In the State of Kansas in 1995 girls from the ages of 15 – 19 the birth rate was 94.6, in 1996 89.2, and in 1997 87.9, showing a steady decline in teenage pregnancies (CDC: Center for Disease Control and Prevention 2000). Locally, Planned Parenthood offers a...
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...associated with poor health and subsequent morbidity (Gordon, Haas, Luther, Hilton, & Goldstein, 2010). Veterans make up about 11% of the adult population; they make up 26% of the homeless population (Weidman, Executive Director, & Vietnam Veterans of America, n.d). An estimated 47% of homeless veterans served during the Vietnam era, more than 67% served the nation for at least three years, and 33% were stationed in a war zone (Boone, Executive Director, & National Coalition for Homeless Veterans, n.d). Biases and Stereotypes Individuals label the homeless with stereotypes and personal biases due to lack of knowledge. These same stereotypes label the men and women who have served our country in WWII, Korea, the Cold War, Vietnam, Grenada, Panama, Lebanon, Afghanistan, and Iraq. Some individuals believe that all homeless are lazy and do not want to work; they would rather sit alongside a road and beg for money, so they can buy their alcohol or drugs. Homeless are thought of as individuals who have made poor choices in their lives. Many veterans who suffer from post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are thought of as crazy and not able to function in society any more. Individuals may think that veterans have it made with benefits provided for themselves and their families including better health care than most of the working population in America. Demographics Numerous reasons can contribute to homelessness; Experiencing low or no income, poor living conditions, crowded...
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...Vulnerable Population and Self-Awareness Paper Nancy Estrada NURS440 April 7, 2014 Mr. Steadman McPeters, MSN, CPNP-AC, RN * * * Vulnerable Population and Self-Awareness Paper I would like to introduce Yvonne Johnson. She is a 35-year-old African American woman raising15-year-old son Randall by herself. The father helps occasionally with child support, but it is Ms. Johnson who has primary custody of her son. Ms. Johnson works as an administrative assistant, however, she has a degree in marketing. Her job is stressful and although she has asked her boss to hire someone to help her, he has not done so. Ms. Johnson is unhappy with her job as she is clearly overqualified. She has not been able to find a job in marketing and does not want to move out of the area to look for employment because she’s lived there all her life and her family is there. Ms. Johnson’s family situation is not an uncommon one. According to Jacobson (2003), the Center for Disease Control and Prevention stated in a report that came in out in August, 2012, that approximately 67% of the African American homes in America children are being raised by the mothers. It is also suggested in "Incarceration Rate For African-Americans Now Six Times The National Average" (2013), that there are more African American males who are either uneducated or spend time in jail and therefore, this leaves the women little selection for a marriage partner. According to Culvert (2007) this same...
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...Vulnerable Population and Self-Awareness Paper Leah Robertson June 19, 2012 NUR/440 Sharon When thinking about vulnerable populations, individuals, and families there are so many different keys that affect what makes a person vulnerable. Being aware of the attitudes, stereotypes, demographics, and financial aspects that make a certain population or person vulnerable can be a valuable lesson in being a nurse. Using a population from episode one in the neighborhood I would like to identify why I felt this particular population was vulnerable and my perceptions before and after the research that I have done. I feel that episode one had a good variety of different situations within one small area, starting with a predominantly white neighborhood with middle to low-income jobs. Several types of housing are available and cost of living at 94%, and a low unemployment rate at 4.4%. Looking at the community you would think it was just a normal place to live with little to no issues or problems. When I began looking into the neighborhood facts and evaluating the demographics this was my perception of what the families would be like, white, normal, middle aged and middle range income. The family that I choose to research is the Allen family, Clifford, Pam and Gary. Clifford and Pam have been together for 40 years and are happily married, with a 24-year-old son that lives at home. When I see this my stereotypes come out, I thought you couldn’t get more normal and happy...
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...Vulnerable population and self-awareness paper Name Institution Vulnerable population and self-awareness paper Biases among the healthcare personnel calls for self-awareness in order for them to understand how such biases affect delivery of healthcare to vulnerable groups such as mentally ill. Self-awareness is a conscious process that creates personal understanding. It enables them to determine their strengths and limitations, emotional understanding and their behavior with others in a mental health environment. Development of self-awareness enables the health providers to take control of situations. This provides a genuine, authentic and honest presentation of the mental healthcare nurses (Tusaie, 2013). The vulnerable group to be discussed is the depressed mentally ill population. Depression is a chronic disease that significantly affects American’s health and productivity. Demographics of the depressed Depression affects over 21 million people, including children and adults in America. It is the leading major cause of disability for people in the age of between 15 and 44. This is according to the report of the Mental Health America and Thomson Healthcare. More so, depression with anxiety is experienced by approximately 9.6% of Americans and 2.6% without anxiety. The prevalence of mixed anxiety and depressive disorder is relatively more in women than in men. Overall, occurrence of depression is 1 in every 10 adults at a given...
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...Vulnerable Population and Self Awareness University of Phoenix Health Assessment and Promotion for Vulnerable Population NUR 440 Belinda Condit, MSN, RN, NE-BC March 5, 2013 Vulnerable Population and Self Awareness This paper will discuss the vulnerable population of child abuse caused by the children’s parents. It will include a description of the populations’ demographic based on research of professional literature. It will also include the description of my personal awareness of population before studying the demographics. It will state the effect of research on personal attitudes after gathering knowledge. It will then describe how knowledge might affect health care delivery. Finally, I will use self-reflection to evaluate my perception before and after learning about the population (University of Phoenix, 2013). Description of the Population’s Demographic The population’s demographic affected by the child abuse by parents, are both the parents and the children. Children affected by parental child abuse are a vulnerable population because often time children do not know who to seek help from. The children demographic are affected greatly because many times children feel that they do not want to get their parents in trouble because of the abuse. Children abused by parents are often considered a social problem, which is often silent. “Child abuse and neglect by parents remains a salient social problem, thus warranting a continued evaluation of measurement tools...
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...Vulnerable Populations and Self-Awareness Paper Barbara D. Ross University of Phoenix Health Assessment and Promotion for Vulnerable Population NUR 440 Marcella Hardy - Peterson April 19, 2010 Vulnerable Populations and Self-Awareness Paper The social stigma of cigarette smoking has grown over the last 25 years. Many states have established anti-smoking legislation that prohibits smoking in public areas. This paper examines current social, economic and health related impact of the chronic smoker in today’s sociality. The author began smoking cigarettes as an enlisted Navy recruit, quit “cold turkey” when a severe morning cough convinced her that smoking cigarettes might not be conducive to optimum health. The conversion from smoker to non-smoker was not difficult. Cigarette smoking can be part of a social and cultural ritual. Tobacco use became popular in the United States in the 1800’s. Chewing tobacco was the method of use for the early American pioneers. In 1880, James Bonsack, created a machine that rolled tobacco in paper. The creation of the cigarette machine increased the cigarette production and revolutionized the tobacco industry. The health concern of long termed cigarette smoking came to the forefront in the mid-twenthth century. The CDC estimated in 2005, that 20.9% of all U.S. adults, were current cigarette smokers, 80.8% smoked daily and 19.2% some days. The highest prevalence of ethnic smokers...
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...Vulnerable Population and Self-Awareness Paper NUR/440 – Health Assessment and Promotion For Vulnerable Population 12 December 2011 Vulnerable Populations and Self Awareness Introduction This paper is a study of the vulnerable population of the elderly in the United States and will discuss the mindfulness of this author’s personal biases, attitudes, and conceived stereotypes regarding this population. The patient chosen as an example for this paper is Norma James from the University of Phoenix “neighborhood”. Mrs James is a widow who’s vulnerability relating to health care will be compared with information gathered through research and applied to the elderly population and those with chronic illness. The vulnerabilities faced by Norma will be a realistic representation of the challenges associated with this population. Elderly Patients with Chronic Illness Despite the efforts of healthcare providers and various organizations across the United States to reduce or eliminate disparities within vulnerable healthcare populations, significant disparities continue to cause limited access to healthcare. This limitation poses risk to populations such as elderly and those living in poverty. The health domains of vulnerable populations can be divided into 3 categories: physical, psychological, and social. Those with physical needs include the elderly, chronically ill and disabled, chronic medical conditions include respiratory diseases, diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia...
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...Vulnerable Populations Kelly S. Matthews NUR/440 April 6, 2015 Deanna Radford Vulnerable Populations Vulnerable populations have an increased risk for poor health and have a potential to be susceptible for potential illnesses. There are many different aspects and circumstances that make a person or populations vulnerable. Knowing what makes you vulnerable and accessing needed care can decrease your risk to susceptible diseases and illnesses. Self awareness is the key to understanding the affects of vulnerability and accessing necessary care to maintain optimal health. In the Neighborhood 2.0, I chose the Young Family. The Young family is a young, African American family that lives a comfortable life. The Young family is a family of four, with health insurance and great family support. Steve is a college educated man that provides a great life for his family. Although Steve is healthy he is a smoker. Race, ethnicity, social status and personal limitations can affect vulnerability. Steve Young is an African American man who works a very stressful job. He has been a smoker since he was 17 years old. In the Neighborhood, we learn that Steve’s daughter, Kelsey, has been treated several times for allergies and chronic coughing. I chose to take a closer look at Kelsey, for my vulnerable population. She is vulnerable because she is an African American child who has been diagnosed with Asthma. She has no control over the circumstances that could have contributed...
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...relationship to health care delivery system. This paper will indentify a vulnerable population; describe the population demographics based on research of professional literature and websites including locals, state or national levels. It will also describe a personal awareness of the population, attitudes, biases, and serotypes; it will state the effect of research on personal attitudes and how it might affect health care delivery. Finally, it will use self reflection to evaluate our perception before after learning about the population. Background of Focal Point Gil Martin in the ‘neighborhood’ is a fifty two year old Hispanic male married to Helen. They have been married for eighteen years. He had a son Mark from the previous marriage and a step daughter Tracy. Gil’s father recently passed away and he has been helping his elderly mother manage her home. While at the mother’s house, Gil suggested to his mother (Mary) to consider moving in with them. Mary accepted the suggestion with happiness but to Gil’s surprise. When Gil got home, he told his wife and was met with a negative reaction. Vulnerable Population The elderly in America are considered to be a vulnerable population in regards to health, wellness and provision of healthcare. While this consideration may sometimes be based on assumptions related to age and wellness, there are increased risk factors that do place a majority of this population at a higher risk for illness and injury. Most of the risk factors that...
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