...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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...Vulnerable population paper Vulnerable Populations in Current Events Paper Vulnerable Populations in Current Events Paper When I think of a vulnerable population, a few population groups come to mind, including mentally disabled, socioeconomically disadvantaged, those with physical limitations, children and the geriatric populations. During my assessment/admission interview of patients, I listen for clues that may indicate that they fall into a vulnerable category. I have had patients tell me that they have neglected to take care of their ailments because they cannot afford to take off a day from work, or they don’t have adequate insurance or any insurance coverage at all. The chosen article focuses on protecting vulnerable populations from pandemic influenza in the United States. According to the article, the vulnerable populations include those with underlying health conditions, pregnant women, children and persons with disabilities as well as correctional populations (to include staff and facilities). It is essential to protect these vulnerable populations in order to effectively slow or mitigate an influenza pandemic. The vulnerable population may have several barriers that prevent them from obtaining the much needed medical services. Such barriers include socioeconomic status, health beliefs, behaviors, and status; and access to health care over which an individual or family may have limited control (Hutchins, 2009, S246). Moral, ethical...
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...Vulnerable Populations in Current Events Paper Vulnerable Populations in Current Events Paper Vulnerable populations can be defined broadly to include any individual, group, or community whose circumstances present barriers to obtaining information or to access resources offered before, during and after a socio-economic and or life changing event. Additionally, it may include, but are not limited to: age; physical, mental, emotional, or cognitive status (CDC, 2014). In 2011, the American Hospital Association (AHA) Board Committee on Research (COR) examined emerging practices in effectively coordinating care for vulnerable populations of Medicaid beneficiaries. There are approximately 9.2 million Medicaid beneficiaries are dual eligibles – low-income seniors and younger persons with disabilities who are enrolled in both the Medicare and Medicaid programs (AHA, 2011). Barriers that may prevent these populations from obtaining needed services: Medicare and Medicaid dual eligibles are among the sickest and poorest individuals, and they must navigate both government programs to access necessary services. The barriers that may prevent these populations can range to in include economic status, their personal or family values, attitudes, culture, and life circumstances of these individuals and the communities in which they reside. CDC provides evidence that Medicare beneficiaries belonging to racial and ethnic minorities persistently experience an increasing disproportionate...
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...Current Events Paper NUR/440 July 23, 2012 Aging Population as Vulnerable Populations in Current Events For this paper the vulnerable population that I chose is the aging population. According to Smith, Tingle, and Twiss (2010), in another 18 years (by the year 2030), 20% of the US population will be that of baby boomers. This population is so vulnerable and has many barriers such as medical instability, transportation problems, mobility issues, and financial instability. As this vulnerable population of baby boomers progress to age and grow in number, most of them they do not to ask for help, which further increases their barriers. They must overcome these barriers to have a better and safe life. Definition of a Vulnerable Population According to Oxford Reference Online (2011), a vulnerable population is a classified group of population that is identified at a higher risk than the general population from a specific or broad condition (Oxford Reference Online, 2011). Elderly population is considered vulnerable because they have barriers and issues with their bodies as they age, and with their mental and spiritual wellbeing. Barriers of a Vulnerable Population According to Smith, et. al (2010), it is important for community and local governments to acknowledge the aging population and provide age-friendly services (p. 15). There are a number of barriers faced by the aging population as they are in the process of aging...
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...Analysis Assessing physical measures of patients can often be a difficult task. However, there are several assessment tools available to health care professionals to guide them in providing the best patient care possible. Along with proper assessment tools, Watson’s theory of human caring plays an important role in the integration of the mind, body, and spirit dimensions of each patient. This paper will state three assessment tools that evaluate a patient’s physical measures, describe each tool and the population for which it may be useful, and state data about each tool. Such data may include cost, length, ease in using the tool, for what population it is best designed, and the validity of the information. A description of how each tool enhances the assessment phase of the nursing process and affects the quality of health care delivered by the nurse will be discussed. Each of these tools will be applied to a chosen vulnerable population researched from the Vulnerable Population and Self-awareness paper. The vulnerable population I researched consisted of the elder population. Mrs. James was my subject. She is a 65-year-old widow who lives alone. She has become socially isolated with little to no support system. She has two sons who live out of state and very rarely keeps in contact with them. She does not work and has limited savings. Currently she relies on social security benefits for her income. She also does not drive and uses public transportation when needed...
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...Vulnerable Population in the Workplace Back in 1999 the U.S. Health Department set a goal to, “eliminate disparities in health and in access to service for minorities,” for Healthy People 2010 (Crist, 2002). 2010 has come and gone, and although there have been improvements that goal continues to be in place for Healthy People 2020. Some vulnerable populations are still at risk and face many barriers preventing them access to proper healthcare. Attempting to overcome these barriers will often fall on the shoulders of healthcare providers; it becomes their job to help decrease the overall health disparity suffered by vulnerable populations. In this paper the subject to discuss is the vulnerable Mexican American population and will evaluate barriers faced by them as well as barriers faced by healthcare workers, and the methods that could be used in order to help decrease current health disparities. Mexican-Americans: A Population at Risk Mexican-Americans, especially aging Mexican-Americans are an extremely vulnerable population. Currently, Hispanics are the fastest growing ethnic population in the United States and as of the 2003 U.S. Census, their population, “grew at a rate almost fourfold that of the general population—13% vs. 3.3%--over a 39 month period” (Keating, et al. 2009). That being said, non-English-speaking immigrants are often socially and economically disadvantaged, which impacts health disparities (Keating, et al. 2009). Barriers to Care There are many...
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...Malnutrition among the Elderly Nursing 408 Malnutrition among the Elderly Introduction According to research published in the May issue of the Annals of Epidemiology, in a nation where people die from complications of too much food, some die from having too little (Lee & Berthelot, 2010). Although malnutrition is often thought of as a killer in the developing world, it's also a problem for the elderly in the United States. In this paper, I will discuss multiple concepts related to malnutrition among the elderly, and how this topic relates to epidemiology. First, I will define and describe malnutrition among the elderly. Second, I will explore the steps and methods of epidemiology related to my chosen topic of malnutrition among the elderly. Third, I will converse about the epidemiological triangle, and the type of epidemiology used for my chosen topic. Fourth, I will discuss how the characteristics of the elderly population influence vulnerability. Fifth, I will define how cultural considerations may impact health status, and any ethical or legal considerations. Last, I will explain the relationship of the malnutrition to various levels of prevention. Researchers from Louisiana State University examined data from 3,141 counties and older adult malnutrition mortality using Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data. According to CDC data, between 2,000 and 3,000 older adults die from malnutrition each year (Lee & Berthelot, 2010). Trevor Rowe once said, “Unless...
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...Abstract Disasters have devastating and severe acute and long-term consequences for individuals and communities. The paper expounds on the social ramifications of disasters, while highlighting a disaster’s effects in vulnerable populations. The collaborative actions of communities, governments, public health, media, and health professionals are also depicted in the paper. Lastly, implications for Advanced Practice Nurses concerning leadership, involvement in public policy and education, and development of advanced disaster planning are illustrated. Keywords: disaster, disaster response and planning, social ramifications, advanced practice nursing. Disaster--the term itself invokes feelings of dread, despair, and devastation. Furthermore, the effects of disasters on human condition are far-reaching and unpredictable. For health care professionals, disaster preparedness and response entails an understanding of the socio-economic issues and the collective responsibilities of multiple agencies when a disaster strikes. Disasters affect individuals, families, societies, and communities, with little time for any warning or preparation.1 The collective obligations of government, communities, hospitals, and medical professionals are underscored during this trying time. Introduction What is a disaster? Calamity, catastrophe, tragedy, are just some of the words uttered when a disaster occurs. Perry and Quarantelli2 explained that disaster has several meanings depending...
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...Conflict Diagnosis Paper CJHS/430 Conflict Diagnosis Paper Deaths in the prisons are on the rise in the recent years and the major cause of these deaths are mostly suicide and I this review I will focus mostly on diagnosis on suicide related deaths in the United States. The research in the past has also been criticized for focusing mostly on the static variables like the demographics. In the United States, suicide is more common in prisons compared with the general populations as a whole. Each year it is approximated that the number of prison suicide is 200, and it is the third leading cause of death in prison behind aids and natural cause. Many suicides are seen as accidental deaths. Some workers fear reporting suicide-related incidents for fear of cases being brought against them. Somebody dying in the hospital after attempting suicide may not be reported as deadly occurred at the prison. The homicide rate in local jails nationwide hovered around 3 inmates per 100,000 between 2000 and 2010, according to data from the Bureau of Justice Statistics. Violent, troubled individuals are concentrated in prisons and jails. “The violent prisoners exert pressures on the most vulnerable inmates who end up succumbing to health related problems or they result to suicide.” (Theodore, Max, & Mitch, 2009.) The populations or individuals that are vulnerable to these pressures should be identified, and this is an essential first step towards resolving the problem. However, it...
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...Assessment Analysis Paper Gentina Thompson NUR440: Health Assessment and Promotion for Vulnerable Population September 22, 2014 Assessment tools are a necessary part of everyday nursing care. They provide the nurse with measurable means of keeping inventory of a patient’s physical progression from shift to shift. Assessment tools like the Braden scale which assess the patient’s skin quality; along with the falls risk scale that assess how high the patient’s chances are for falling; are two common assessment tools used worldwide. Along with these physical assessment tools are an array of non-physical assessment tools used to evaluate anything from the patient’s coping skills to evaluating their stress level. Three popular ones are the daily hassle scale, Beck depression inventory, and the perceived stress scale. All three of these scales are imperative in finding out what kind of state the patient is in cognitively. Daily hassles are defined as “irritating, frustrating demands that occur during everyday interactions with the environment (Wright et al., 2010). Daily hassles are normally those daily interactions with family or friends that have regular occurrences; however are more difficult when trying to determine a beginning and an end. The Kanner Hassel scale is the most commonly used it generates eight scores on eight dimensions of time, pressure, work, financial responsibilities, health, neighborhood/environment, inner concerns, household responsibilities, and future security...
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...Assessment Tool Analysis Paper Assessment is the first and most important element of the nursing process. Assessment tools are not merely designed to measure the physical nature of the illness. They can also measure the psychosocial, spiritual, and emotional well-being of the patient. Watson felt that addressing the patient's mind, body and spirit can promote health and individual or family growth. She felt that nursing was distinctive through the science of caring and medicine involved curing (Suliman, Welmann, Omer & Thomas, 2009). In this paper I will be discussing three assessment tools that can be used by nurses to verify better, organize, and interpret a patient's emotional and spiritual well-being. I will describe the purpose of each tool and the population it might be useful. I will give data such as; cost, length of time to complete, ease of using and intended population. I will also describe how this tool enhances the assessment phase of the nursing process and the quality of care delivered by the nurse. Lastly, I will apply these tools to the vulnerable older population chosen from my Self Awareness paper. The three assessment tools that I selected were: The Spiritual Well-Being Scale, Derogatis Stress Profile, and the Perceived Stress Scale. The Spiritual Well-Being Scale This Spiritual Well-Being Scale (SWBS) is an easy assessment tool, designed for adults to self-assess their perceived spiritual well-being. There are twenty questions answered by paper and pencil that...
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...unfortunate events especially sudden and extraordinary misfortunes or calamities. Inhabitants of sub-Saharan Africa are threatened by natural disasters. This has led to consequences like poverty and disease (World Risk Report 2013). The assertion that disasters in Africa occur when hazards and vulnerability meet is true. Disasters in Africa tend to affect the vulnerable. Natural disasters occurring in African countries undermine the economic survival of poor communities. Many populations in countries throughout the continent have suffered under the impact of such hazards, which have killed thousands and caused injuries to many others. Mainly it is the vulnerable groups of people and their locations that are exposed to risk of these disasters. It is of paramount importance to note that these disasters can be natural or man-made. It is the scope of this paper to deliberate if disasters in Africa really occur when hazards and vulnerability meet or not. Increasing disaster threats not only reflect the onset of events such as earthquakes or floods, but also the changing demographic and socioeconomic characteristics of the population. A large, violent tornado, for instance, passing through an open field presents little danger. On the other hand, a relatively weak tornado can pose significant risks to human life and can result in great economic losses in densely populated areas. While the intensity is important, of equal or greater importance is the presence of a population whose demographic...
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...prevention and health promotion in communities across the world. The population and disease that will be discussed in relation to epidemiology in this paper with be teens and pregnancy. This paper will explore the role of epidemiology in HPV and teenagers and the contributing factors. This paper will also discuss the definition and purpose of epidemiology, epidemiological methods, the epidemiological triangle, and levels of preventions that is related with HPV and teenagers. Epidemiology is importance to public health in relation to disease prevention and health promotion. According to Stanhope & Lancaster (2008), epidemiology has been defined as the study of the distribution and determinants of health related states or events in specified population and the application of this study to control health problems. Epidemiology is not just “the study of” health in a population; it also involves applying the knowledge gained by the studies to community-based practice (Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, n.d.). Epidemiology and its findings in relation to prevalence of diseases among certain populations is a vital ingredient to public health and the overall health of communities. The purpose of epidemiology is to find the cause of diseases that affect certain populations. The findings allow public health officials, leaders, and nurses to assess and evaluate current conditions, identify vulnerable populations, and plan for change. Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a ubiquitous...
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...1 Introduction According to the Third Assessment Report of IPCC, South Asia is the most vulnerable region of the world to climate change impacts (McCarthy et al., 2001). The international community also recognizes that Bangladesh ranks high in the list of most vulnerable countries on earth. Bangladesh’s high vulnerability to climate change is due to a number of hydro-geological and socio-economic factors that include: its geographical location in South Asia; its flat deltaic topography with very low elevation; its extreme climate variability that is governed by monsoon and which results in acute water distribution over space and time; its high population density and poverty incidence; and its majority of population being dependent on crop agriculture which is highly influenced by climate variability and change. Despite the recent strides towards achieving sustainable development, Bangladesh’s potential to sustain its development is faced with significant challenges posed by climate change (Ahmed and Haque, 2002). It is therefore of utmost importance to understand its vulnerability in terms of population and sectors at risk and its potential for adaptation to climate change. Increased climate variability means additional threats to drought-prone environments and is considered a major crop production risk factor. The impact of climate variability and change on agricultural production is a global concern. However, the impact is particularly important in Bangladesh...
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...CONCEPT ANALYSIS Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults: Concept Analysis Abstract Aim. This study is to analyse the concept of safeguarding the vulnerable adults and the role of registered nurse. Background. Registered nurse has major responsibilities in caring and safeguarding the vulnerable adult population. Reduction of health inequalities among vulnerable adults are top international healthcare priorities. Vulnerable adults are among most vulnerable of the populations, many people associate vulnerability with old age only, resulting in negative stereotypical views. Understanding the concepts of vulnerability as relates to adults population, examines how and why adults could be vulnerable will help nurse to educates the vulnerable adults about the rights and choices available to them, enabling nurse to safeguarding the vulnerable adults and empower the vulnerable adults to participate fully in the society. Data Sources. Data source include the Nursing Standard, The PubMed, Health & Social Care information Centre (hscic), Department of Health, Action on Elder Abuse, Offices of National Statistics (ONS), electronic databases were used to search for research papers, articles published between 2000-2013. The searching keywords used are ‘Vulnerable’, ‘Abuse’, ‘vulnerability’, ‘safeguarding’. Seventeen papers from variety of disciplines, including nursing, public health, social-care and medicine were reviewed. Method. The concept analysis was done using Rodgers’ evolutionary...
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