Disparities In Mental Health
Mental Illness and Substance Abuse
Vulnerability and Healthcare Implications
Abstract
Those with mental and substance abuse illnesses have often been identified as vulnerable populations. The following essay discusses the physical, psychological, and social factors that predispose these individuals to vulnerability. In regards to health care, potential disparities are then identified based on the theoretical components of Aday’s framework regarding access, cost and quality of care.
Historically speaking, mental and substance abuse illnesses were considered “a social rather than a medical problem” (IOM, 2006, p. 59). These disorders were “viewed as manifestations of intellectual weakness or moral inferiority” (Institute of Medicine [IOM], 2006, p. 59). Such initial views have helped lay …show more content…
Substance abuse and alcoholism potentially contribute to a number of life threatening illnesses including cirrhosis, liver cancer, pancreatitis, HIV, and hepatitis C. The role of altered perceptions and impaired judgment caused by these disorders are often unrecognized for their potential to increase risk of physical harm. However, these components have the greatest potential for impact on this population; accidents and violence were one of the largest contributors to alcohol related mortality (Cohen & Galea, 2011, p. 46).
“There is an unfortunate tendency in our culture to judge some vulnerable people as being at fault for their own vulnerability” (de Chesnay & Anderson, 2012, p. 4). Marginalization of those with mental and substance abuse problems often occurs through the presence of stigmatization. Social stigmatization develops from discriminatory societal views and the endorsement of the views against a population (Cohen & Galea, 2011, p. 94). Stigmatizations can have social and psychological impact on these
Vulnerability and Healthcare Implications
Abstract
Those with mental and substance abuse illnesses have often been identified as vulnerable populations. The following essay discusses the physical, psychological, and social factors that predispose these individuals to vulnerability. In regards to health care, potential disparities are then identified based on the theoretical components of Aday’s framework regarding access, cost and quality of care.
Historically speaking, mental and substance abuse illnesses were considered “a social rather than a medical problem” (IOM, 2006, p. 59). These disorders were “viewed as manifestations of intellectual weakness or moral inferiority” (Institute of Medicine [IOM], 2006, p. 59). Such initial views have helped lay …show more content…
Substance abuse and alcoholism potentially contribute to a number of life threatening illnesses including cirrhosis, liver cancer, pancreatitis, HIV, and hepatitis C. The role of altered perceptions and impaired judgment caused by these disorders are often unrecognized for their potential to increase risk of physical harm. However, these components have the greatest potential for impact on this population; accidents and violence were one of the largest contributors to alcohol related mortality (Cohen & Galea, 2011, p. 46).
“There is an unfortunate tendency in our culture to judge some vulnerable people as being at fault for their own vulnerability” (de Chesnay & Anderson, 2012, p. 4). Marginalization of those with mental and substance abuse problems often occurs through the presence of stigmatization. Social stigmatization develops from discriminatory societal views and the endorsement of the views against a population (Cohen & Galea, 2011, p. 94). Stigmatizations can have social and psychological impact on these