Vulnerable Populations Flashcards
definition of vulnerable populations
groups and communities at a higher risk for poor health as a result of the barriers they experience to social, economic, political, and environmental resources, as well as limitations due to illness or disability
examples of vulnerable populations
■Chronically ill and disabled ■Low-income individuals ■Homeless people ■Refugees ■Prisoners ■LGBTQ+ population ■Very young and old ■Individuals living in rural areas and on Native American reservation
chronically ill and disabled
at risk of poor health outcomes and they, consume more healthcare dollars than healthy individuals.
■The chronically ill are twice as likely to report poor health days as the general population.
■have many interactions with the health system, but, due to their disability, they may have difficulty accessing care.
■challenges in obtaining services.
rural or isolated locations
■ geographic isolation, lower socioeconomic status, limited job opportunities, and tend to be older.
■Native Americans living on reservations have lower life expectancy and their inadequate education, higher poverty rates, and cultural differences have also led to a disproportionate disease burden
LGBTQ+
■ avoid seeking medical care because they have faced or fear facing discrimination
■significant racial differences. For instance, black transgender women are disproportionately burdened with HIV.
■higher rates of psychiatric disorders, substance abuse, and suicide.
■discrimination in access to safe housing and a shortage of healthcare providers who are knowledgeable and culturally competent in LGBTQ health
very young and very old
children respond different to medicines and interventions than adults and cannot just be viewed as “small adults” in the healthcare setting.
■There has been a lack of adequate pediatric research and testing of medical interventions, making them vulnerable
■climate change affects vulnerable populations
■Older adults are more vulnerable to health issues since they tend to have low immunity and often numerous medical conditions. decreased preventative care
low income/homeless
more likely to have chronic illnesses, co-occurring conditions such as depression or substance use problems, chronic medical conditions like obesity or diabetes.
and less likely to have coverage
increased risk for adverse health-related outcomes if they are not in a safe place.
–less likely to have a regular source of care
–more likely to forgo care because they can often feel stigmatized or unwelcome.
Prisoners
■The U.S. has the highest incarceration rate in the world.
■As many as 50% of juvenile delinquents are children with a parent who has been behind bars and second-generation crime is increasing
■It is far less expensive to send someone to college than it is to send someone to prison, which gives the college graduate a purposeful life so he/she can give back to the community
refugees
Fleeing war, famine, persecution, and natural disaster, some travel thousands of miles for safety and security.
Each year, less than 1% of the world’s refugees are given the coveted opportunity to restart their lives in a new country.
■Historically, the United States has led the way on global refugee resettlement, taking in tens of thousands every year
occupational justice
the right of every individual to be able to meet basic needs and to have equal opportunities and life chances to reach toward her or his potential but specific to the individual’s engagement in diverse and meaningful occupation.”
4 occupational rights
1) Right to experience occupation as meaningful and enriching
2) Right to develop through participation in occupations for health and social inclusion
3) Right to exert individual or population autonomy through choice in occupations
4) Right to benefit from fair privileges for diverse participation in occupations
occupational justice beliefs
■People can voice what structures are in place to organize occupation
■Each individual’s life circumstance and occupational needs are different; this needs to be acknowledged and honored
■An occupational therapist can be an agent of change
outcomes of occupational justice
meaning
participation
choice
balance
