Module 4.2 Flashcards
What are vulnerable populations?
At risk populations who are more susceptible to poor health because of socioenvironmental factors
ie) poverty= lack of funds to purchase healthy food= cardiovascular issues. Homeless & poor individuals are considered vulnerable population
What are health inequities?
Health inequities refers to differences in health that could be avoided, these are seen as unfair and socially unjust.
How can health inequities be addressed?
. In Canada these inequities are addressed through the Ottawa Charter (5 key strategies), strengthening community action, creating supportive environments, developing healthy public policy, developing personal skills, reorienting health systems
What is poverty?
Having insufficient financial resources to meet basic living expenses, food, shelter, clothing, transportation & medical
What is absolute homelessness?
Perpetually homeless/chronic homeless. Observed sleeping on park benches, sidewalks & begging. Lacks money and social support, most frequently identified with homeless
What is sheltered homelessness?
These people need to use emergency shelters, occasionally or regularly to sleep ie) Lighthouse
What is hidden homelessness?
These people may be sleeping in vehicles and/or use the couch at friends (transient).
What social conditions lead to poverty and homelessness?
Poverty, certain populations are more likely to be poor (Aboriginal, single parents, recent immigrants, visible minorities, persons with disabilities, children and elderly women
What can contribute to poverty and homelessness?
Education, income and social status, social support networks, culture, mental health problems, substance abuse or addictions, violence , family conflict, lack of affordable housing
What causes the result of poverty and homelessness (vulnerability)?
From interacting factors that individuals do not have control over due to the socioenvironmental variables
What are primary prevention strategies for a CHN working to improve individual and community outcomes, related to poverty and homelessness?
The goal of primary prevention is to ‘work upstream’ to reduce risks, and typically involves universal interventions directed at whole communities, as well as targeted interventions for ‘at risk’ communities. With regards to homelessness, this could include information campaigns and educational programs, as well as strategic interventions designed to help address problems that may eventually contribute to homelessness, well before they arise. Poverty reduction strategies, anti-violence campaigns, early childhood supports, and anti-discrimination work all can contribute to a reduction in homelessness down the road.
What are secondary prevention strategies for a CHN working to improve individual and community outcomes, related to poverty and homelessness?
Intended to identify and address a problem or condition at an early stage, strategies that target people who are clearly at risk of, or who have recently become homeless.
This includes systems prevention, meaning working with mainstream institutions so we can stop the flow of individuals from mental health care, child protection and corrections into homelessness. Early intervention strategies are designed to work quickly to support individuals and families to either retain their housing, or if that is not possible, to use rapid rehousing strategies to ensure people move into safe and appropriate accommodation with the supports that they need.
What are tertiary prevention strategies for a CHN working to improve individual and community outcomes, related to poverty and homelessness?
Intended to slow the progression of and treat a condition, and through rehabilitation, to reduce recurrence of the problem. In responding to homelessness, this means ensuring that people move into housing, and that they have the supports they need to reduce the likelihood that homelessness will ever occur again. The focus, then, is not simply to get people housed, but rather, housing stability.
What are examples of the effects of homelessness across the lifespan?
Pregnancy, childhood, adolescence and older adults. Each group has different needs. Ie) child: have they had immunizations, do they attend school, where do they sleep, healthy diet?
What factors put our Aboriginal population at a higher risk for homelessness?
Vulnerable population, aboriginal people often have lower education, income, inadequate housing on reserves/remote locations= poor access to care and decreased health status
