Caring for Vulnerable Populations
Caring for Vulnerable Populations
Rebecca Bennett
Legal Nurse Consulting/Phase 2 IP 1
Colorado Technical University Online
August 27, 2011
Vulnerable Populations When referring to vulnerable populations, it means there are different subpopulations that sometimes have a higher risk for being unhealthy, and having very little access to health care (Stanhope & Lancaster, 2008). The community is trying to help these vulnerable populations get proper health care, but needs to identify factors that contribute to their vulnerability. How do these factors play a role, and why? There will be discussion on these different factors, as well as exploring different ways to overcome the barriers in providing care to these patients.
Contributing Factors Different factors in this community, which have an impact on the vulnerability of certain populations, can be considered; low socioeconomics, race, culture, age, gender, and education (Stanhope & Lancaster, 2008). Low socioeconomics is a huge factor that affects many people, partially related to the fact that most people in this group can’t afford health insurance (Stanhope & Lancaster, 2008). This tells us that a huge number of people are probably not seeking any medical care on a regular basis (Stanhope & Lancaster, 2008). These people may be at higher risk just because of a lack of proper immunizations or general health education (Nyamathi, Koniak-Griffin, & Greengold, 2007). This leads into the factor of culture, or ethnicity, which plays an important role in how certain people attain medical care (Stanhope & Lancaster, 2008). Many cultures have their own rituals on how to heal the ill, and may not understand the significance of seeking help from a doctor or clinic (Stanhope & Lancaster, 2008). Hispanics are a large portion of this population effected, and there may be a misunderstanding related to the lack of education provided in their language (Stanhope & Lancaster,
Rebecca Bennett
Legal Nurse Consulting/Phase 2 IP 1
Colorado Technical University Online
August 27, 2011
Vulnerable Populations When referring to vulnerable populations, it means there are different subpopulations that sometimes have a higher risk for being unhealthy, and having very little access to health care (Stanhope & Lancaster, 2008). The community is trying to help these vulnerable populations get proper health care, but needs to identify factors that contribute to their vulnerability. How do these factors play a role, and why? There will be discussion on these different factors, as well as exploring different ways to overcome the barriers in providing care to these patients.
Contributing Factors Different factors in this community, which have an impact on the vulnerability of certain populations, can be considered; low socioeconomics, race, culture, age, gender, and education (Stanhope & Lancaster, 2008). Low socioeconomics is a huge factor that affects many people, partially related to the fact that most people in this group can’t afford health insurance (Stanhope & Lancaster, 2008). This tells us that a huge number of people are probably not seeking any medical care on a regular basis (Stanhope & Lancaster, 2008). These people may be at higher risk just because of a lack of proper immunizations or general health education (Nyamathi, Koniak-Griffin, & Greengold, 2007). This leads into the factor of culture, or ethnicity, which plays an important role in how certain people attain medical care (Stanhope & Lancaster, 2008). Many cultures have their own rituals on how to heal the ill, and may not understand the significance of seeking help from a doctor or clinic (Stanhope & Lancaster, 2008). Hispanics are a large portion of this population effected, and there may be a misunderstanding related to the lack of education provided in their language (Stanhope & Lancaster,
References: Nyamathi, A., Koniak-Griffin, D., & Greengold, B. (2007). Development of nursing theory and science in vulnerable populations research. Retrieved from US National Library of Medicine National Institute of Health: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17958287 Stanhope, M., & Lancaster, J. (2008). Public Health Nursing Population-Centered Health Care in the Community (7th ed.). St. Louis: Mosby Elsevier.