HEALTH DISPARITIES:
Vulnerable population:
Which groups are considered vulnerable populations?
Older adults, racial and ethnic minorities, the LGBTQ
... [Show More] population, people experiencing
homelessness, and veterans are all considered vulnerable populations. Vulnerable
populations are those that are susceptible to poor health, chronic disease, disability, and
early mortality. They may have cumulative risk factors that lead to poor health outcomes,
and they may have limited resources to address their health problems.
When caring for a vulnerable population, it is important for the nurse to understand the
unique disparities of the population. Vulnerable populations are more likely to develop
health-related problems, have multiple health problems, and have limited resources to
address those health problems.
The lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer populations are at higher risk for
which problems?
The lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer populations are at higher risk than
heterosexual people for bullying, suicide, drug abuse, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV),
and chronic diseases.
Vulnerable populations are those that are susceptible to poor health, chronic
diseases, disability, and early mortality. They may have cumulative risk factors that lead to
poor health outcomes, and they may have limited resources to address their health
problems. Some vulnerable populations include people experiencing homelessness, older
adults, racial and ethnic minorities, the unemployed, the uninsured, the lesbian, gay,
bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) population, or refugees.
When caring for vulnerable populations, nurses may need to first address underlying social
and support system issues before health issues, and then preventative strategies can be
implemented to avoid the development of more complex health problems.
NURSING CODE OF RTHICS:
Provision 1: The nurse practices with compassion and respect for the inherent
dignity, worth, and unique attributes of every person.
Provision 2: The nurse’s primary commitment is to the patient, whether an
individual, family, group, community, or population.
Provision 3: The nurse promotes, advocates for, and protects the rights, health, and
safety of the patient.
Provision 8: The nurse collaborates with other health professionals and the public
to protect human rights, promote health diplomacy, and reduce health disparities.
Provision 9: The profession of nursing, collectively through its professional
organizations, must articulate nursing values, maintain the integrity of the
profession, and integrate principles of social justice into nursing and health policy.
As the baby boomers age, the number of older adults is increasing dramatically. Older
adults are at higher risk for having one or more chronic diseases such as diabetes,
osteoporosis, and Alzheimer’s disease; injuries related to falls; and elder abuse.
Healthy People Goal: Improve Health and Well-Being for Older Adults
Healthy People (n.d.) outlines some objectives related to the older adult population.
Older adults are more likely to be hospitalized for conditions such as diabetes,
dementia, urinary tract infections, and pneumonia. Several objectives are related to
reducing the rates of hospital admissions. Education about diabetes and urinary
tract infections, increasing rates of flu and pneumococcal vaccinations, and
improved management in primary care for dementia can reduce hospitalizations of
older adults.
Older adults have a high risk for injury and death from falls. Strategies to help
improve in this area include increasing physical activity of older adults and
implementing safety interventions at home. In addition, health care providers
should follow guidelines when prescribing medications for older adults because of
the increased risk of side effects for this population.
Older adults are at higher risk for having oral health problems including untreated
decay, losing all their teeth, and periodontitis. Improving preventative oral health
care can reduce these risks.
Older adults are at risk for elder abuse. There are four common types of elder abuse:
physical abuse, psychological/emotional abuse, financial or material exploitation, and
neglect. The abuser is often the spouse, adult child, sibling, friend, or caregiver. Nurses who
suspect elder abuse must report it to Adult Protective Services. Assessment of elder abuse
may include the following questions:
Has anyone limited your daily activities?
Has anyone talked to you in a threatening way?
Has anyone forced you to give them money or sign strange papers?
Has anyone touched you without your consent or hit you?
Emotional Abuse – infliction of pain or distress via verbal or nonverbal means
Sexual Abuse – non-consensual sexual contact of any kind with a vulnerable elder
Financial Exploitation – illegal or improper use of [Show Less]