NRS-428VN-0501-Concepts in Community and Public Health

NRS-428VN-0501-Concepts in Community and Public Health: Compare vulnerable populations. Describe an example of one of these groups in the United States or from another country…

NRS-428VN-0501-Concepts in Community and Public Health

Paper details

Compare vulnerable populations. Describe an example of one of these groups in the United States or from another country. Explain why the population is designated as \”vulnerable.\” Include the number of individuals belonging to this group and the specific challenges or issues involved. Discuss why these populations are unable to advocate for themselves, the ethical issues that must be considered when working with these groups, and how nursing advocacy would be beneficial.  

Concepts in Community and Public Health
In the United States, there exist significant healthcare disparities for vulnerable populations. Some social factors could exacerbate these populations’ healthcare and health concerns. Examples of the vulnerable populations are the ethnic and racial minorities, economically disadvantaged, the elderly, the uninsured, people living with HIV/AIDS and other chronic diseases, and the homeless. In the United States, the homeless make up a good example of the vulnerable population. Over 550,000 homeless individuals in America exist on a typical night, and about 1.4 million spend a part of their lifetime in shelter homes. Homelessness is a serious public health concern. On a one-night basis, more than half a million individuals suffer homelessness. Therefore, it is imperative that the delivery system in health care, particularly the nurses, rise and help solve this issue.
More challenges usually accompany homeless individuals’ health due to poor living conditions, poor hygiene and nutrition, an immune system that is compromised, and overcrowding in their shelters. It may include a decline in mental and physical health, drug/alcohol/ sexual abuse, higher risks of contracting infectious diseases like HIV, tuberculosis, cholera, hepatitis A, B, C, among other health issues. These individuals are may be unable to advocate for themselves as they are usually having no means of making their livelihood hence have fewer resources for their healthcare (Chisholm, 2018). Also, few social/ charity welfare organizations help` these individuals as their numbers keep on increasing, and some with mental health issues may be unwilling to accept help.

Nurses usually encounter homeless persons in their area of practice. They hence should understand the various circumstances that push such individuals to be homeless, where some are temporarily homeless while others are chronically homeless. Some could be fleeing sexual, domestic, or other forms of abuse and may require some medical help. Some studies have shown that healthcare givers with judgmental attitudes, discrimination, or prejudices against individuals seeking help are barriers to healthcare access among homeless persons (Koh, 2016). Therefore, nurses need to be compassionate and sensitive to vulnerable groups to make it easier for them to seek medical assistance.

References
Chisholm JR., T. (2018, May 21). Product of progression: ‘Why can’t the homeless help themselves?’ Street Sense Media. https://www.streetsensemedia.org/article/product-of-progression-why-cant-the-homeless-help-themselves/#.YCt5D2gzbIU
Koh, H. K., & O’Connell, J. J. (2016). Improving health care for homeless people. Jama, 316(24), 2586-2587.