Vulnerable Population

Vulnerable populations is a term that creates an image of distinct and narrow-minded minority though the vulnerability of every individual to illness, disease, and injury has made health insurance necessary and probable for a huge portion of the American population. Vulnerable populations in the United States includes parents and children of immigrants, race/ethnic minorities, the disabled poor, the elderly, foster children, families ineligible for welfare, prison inmates and former offenders, children with special care needs, and residents of rural areas. However, the uninsured population has developed to become one of the vulnerable populations in the United States because of the risks and dangers associated with the lack of health insurance. As a result of the increased of the number of the uninsured, they have a huge financial impact on the vulnerable population.

The Vulnerable population I chose is abused individuals. I feel that everyone should have a safe place to go and feel safe if they choose to get away from their abuser. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Statistics, “85% of women and 15% of men are victims of domestic violence” (2014). The number of children who witness domestic violence annually is over 6 million. The National Children’s Alliance says the number of children annually who are abused is around 681,000 and 4 children a day die from child abuse.

Within society, there are two categories that people are placed into, and they are the “ingroup” and the “outgroup”. Members of the Ingroup have easiest access to resources and services, while members of the Outgroup have a harder time being connected to these same resources, with a major resource being quality healthcare. About 44 million American citizens have no healthcare, and another 38 million have inadequate healthcare (PBS.org). These 82 million people are members of society’s outgroup concerning affordable and quality healthcare. While the Affordable Healthcare Act has helped numerous Americans gain health insurance coverage, there is still an issue of disparity of quality healthcare in America. Although there will never

It is important that laws be enacted that help the impoverished, the unemployed, and the uninsured, and those who have limited income and resources. There are many laws, policies, and programs enacted to eliminate health disparities faced by people in regards to age, race, religion, disabilities, and economic status. This discussion post will explore the federal and state programs of Medicare and Medicaid respectively and how it helps and is improving the delivery of culturally competent care to the groups of people within our nation.

Medicare and Medicaid are state sponsored health care programs in the United States. However, these programs differ regarding how they are funded and governed and who they cover. Medicare is a health insurance strategy that protects disabled individuals and senior citizens aged 65 years and above who have qualified for Social Security whereas Medicaid is an aid approach that protects low- to no-income people and families (McCue, 2012). Some residents may be eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid, and this fundamentally relies on their circumstance (Davis, 2005). The Obama care which is also known as the Affordable Care Act is a health care policy that improves and expands access to care and checks the

Vulnerable community population is a group that experiences higher risk of poverty and have less or no access to healthcare than the general population. Vulnerable populations include ethnic minorities, populations affected by disabilities, homeless, rural and migrant populations, those struggling with mental health and substance abuse. A homeless person is an individual who lacks a permanent place of residence or an individual with “a supervised publicly or privately operated shelter designed to provide temporary living accommodations” (Nies and McEwen, 2011, p. 428). This paper will analyze and discuss the impact of barriers related to health care in homeless population.

Medicaid is a government program that effects millions of people in the united states by providing health care. These individuals that receive these benefits include low-income adults, children, pregnant woman, the elderly, and people with disabilities (medicaid.gov). Because of the many different types of people that this program serves, it has the ability to effect many people across America. In the United States, each individual state administers and makes decision about their own medicaid program. There are certain services that the states are required to provide to a pateint with medicaid. A few, but not all, of these services are home health services, in and outpatient hospital services, X-ray services, family planning services,

Medicaid helps about 42 million people who are poor and who need health care services to attain healthy growth and development areas or encounter special health care needs. The Medicaid program covers low-income individuals who meet its eligibility standards, such as children, pregnant women, certain low-income parents, disabled adults, federal Supplemental Security Income recipients (low-income children and adults with severe disability), and the medically needy (non-poor individuals with unusual medical expenditures who meet spend-down requirements for long-term care). There is a good deal of changeability across states in the maximum income for eligibility. Medicaid is administered and financed jointly by the federal government and the states,

Although Medicaid is a health care plan within the United States that is funded by the government and given to those whom may qualify based on their income, mostly children have a higher acceptance rate than adults. “Gale Cengage Learning (2013) reports in part, these controversies stem from the reason Medicaid was originally set up—to enable each state, as far as practicable, to furnish medical assistance to individuals whose income and resources are insufficient to meet the costs of medically necessary services. The goal is simple, but the arguments on how to best accomplish that goal are complex. Although many observers argue Medicaid has been one of the most successful government programs in terms of the number of people it has helped,

Among the various issues addressed by the Healthy People 2020 vision is solving disparities in health (Sullivan, 2010; Healthy People, 2016). Minority groups, including the elderly, are the most affected by these disparities. Health care access among the elderly is still negatively affecting the overall health and economy of the United States, despite various policies developed to curb the issue. In truth, accessibility of health care services for the elderly has been a continuing problem, and the greatest contributor is the health care system itself. While others may direct the blame to increase health care costs, it should be noted that the root of the escalating costs is arising from the health care system.

Stanhope and Lancaster (2008) define vulnerable populations as “those defined at a greater risk for poor health status and health care access”(p.712). The role of a public health nurse in contrast to a vulnerable population is to establish interventions to help break the cycle of vulnerability thus aiding to eliminate health disparities within the population. The term “risk” helps public health nurses establish a person probability of something happening to them. This epidemiological term is used with the triangle of host, agent and environment in contrast to ones health within a population. The author will discuss vulnerability as discovered within a community based on surveying the community and establishing risk and interventions on the

There are several individuals and population groups who are considered more vulnerable than others in every society. Such vulnerable populations may include abused individuals, people diagnosed with HIV/AIDS and people affected by alcohol and substance abuse. These groups were chosen because in any society or cultural aspect, these individuals are especially susceptible to discrimination and aversion in today’

There are many vulnerable populations that have multiple risk factors that places them at higher risk for health problems. One group that is considered vulnerable is the rural and migrant population. The rural population is defined by many characteristic, such as towns with a population of less than 2500, towns located in the open country, and populations less than 45 persons per square mile. The definition has also been broken down in categories of farm versus non-farming population. Migrants describe those who move from place to place to find work. Another concern is the seasonal farmworker who may live one place permanently but work the farms when needed.

Vulnerable populations is a very intriguing topic to me. As the lesson emphasizes, anyone can fall within the category of vulnerability. Especially, when vulnerability can be determined by one’s mental capacity, developmental stages, age, sex/gender, race and ethnicity, education, income and life changes (as cited in Shi, & Stevens, 2010). We are all vulnerable in some way and if not directly then indirectly by proxy.

Marginalized groups are the most affected by political decisions made about healthcare policies, they can be deprived of information that would help them prevent and treat disease. Social stigmas follow those who experience poverty; they are considered lazy, ungrateful, and a burden to society. The tragic stereotypes that follow people living in poverty are an unfortunate societal norm. Some are quick to judge this type of individual, without even considering the possible story behind a person’s situation. Even families who are living right on the poverty line have to make tough decisions. Families that live right at the poverty line may not be allowed to receive government assistance, and have to pay out of pocket for health care. Fees for drugs, clinic,