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Post 1:
According to Grand Canyon University, “Vulnerable populations are groups of people who require special attention related to well-being and safety, including persons who cannot advocate for their own needs such as children, prisoners, and the cognitively, emotionally, and physically impaired” (2018). Examples of vulnerable population groups are refugee and immigrant populations, individuals who live in poverty, LGBTQ populations, and individuals who are uninsured or underinsured.
The U.S. Census Bureau reported that there were 1,203,000 same-sex couples living together in 2019 (Current Population Survey, Annual Social and Economic Supplement, 2019). Same-sex couples are included within the LGBTQ population and are vulnerable because of the adversity and discrimination that can occur when these individuals seek medical services or because of diseases which may be associated with being more prominent within this population group, such as HIV or AIDS (Grand Canyon University, 2018). One of the biggest challenges facing individuals who belong to the LGBTQ population is discrimination, which has been associated with high rates of mental health disorders including suicide (Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, 2020). Many individuals feel unsafe, unaccepted, and bullied, which is why many individuals do not feel they can advocate for themselves. In addition, there is a lack of laws protecting these individuals from health care discrimination including health insurance access. Nursing advocacy is important for this population because it allows us to eliminate health disparities which can lead to improved reduction in disease transmission, improved mental and physical health, and reduced health care costs (Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, 2020).
References
Current Population Survey, Annual Social and Economic Supplement. (2019). Who Is Living Together? Same-Sex Couples in the United States. In U.S. Census Bureau. https://www.census.gov/library/visualizations/2019/comm/living-together-same-sex.html
Grand Canyon University (Ed). (2018). Community & Public Health: The Future of Health Care. Retrieved from https://lc.gcumedia.com/nrs427vn/community-and-public-health-the-future-of-health-care/v1.1/
Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. (2020). Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Health | Healthy People 2020. HealthyPeople.gov. https://www.healthypeople.gov/2020/topics-objectives/topic/lesbian-gay-bisexual-and-transgender-health
Post 2:
The United States has many elderly people and according to statistics 16,9% of US population is 65 or older. These are a vulnerable population due to their cognitive disabilities and chronic conditions. They spend most of their time in nursing homes and institutions as they may struggle to perform activities of daily living, and this leads to elderly abuse and exploitation. There is reduction in social and family support overtime, and they end up living the last days of their lives lonely and abandoned. Despite the many elderly people representation groups, the abuse still goes on because most of them are not able to speak for themselves when they abused so most of the abuse is not reported. Financial constraints because of prolonged hospital admissions due to many chronic illnesses also leave them in poverty (Fernandes, 2019). The high costs of medicines required to sustain their life leads to the depletion of their funds and since most of them will not be physically fit to work for themselves they end up living in poverty. Many people swindle them out of their riches, and all this put them at risk for stress and mental illness. They also have multiple barriers in adhering to their medications due to dementia, poor eyesight, and failure to understand due to hearing deficits. When working with these groups nurses must give them a chance to make decisions about their health because they need a sense of control and mental preparedness for their health (Okpalauwaekwe, 2022). Nursing advocacy for the elderly is beneficial to improve the quality of their life and their general health. This also gives them a voice for their concerns to be heard and addressed. They also need help in remembering doctor’s appointments and taking medications and having an advocate will improve their overall health outcome.
References
Fernandes Barbosa, K. T., Rodrigues Lopes de Oliveira, F. M., & Melo Fernandes, M. das G. (2019). Vulnerability of the elderly: a conceptual analysis. Revista Brasileira de Enfermagem, 72, 337–344. https://doi-org.lopes.idm.oclc.org/10.1590/0034-7167-2018-0728
Post 3:
In the United States, significant disparities exist in healthcare for vulnerable populations. There are a number of groups that are considered vulnerable populations, including racial and ethnic minorities, the economically disadvantaged, and those with chronic health conditions. Vulnerable groups are people who are at high risk for poor health status and healthcare access, who undergo significant disparities and have limited access to healthcare service. According to WHO, vulnerable population include; the uninsured, pregnant women, pediatric group, malnourished people, children, the homeless, people with HIV/AIDS, racial and ethnic minorities, economically disadvantaged and people with chronic health conditions.
In the United States, older adults are more vulnerable than other populations because they have low immunity and likely to have multiple comorbid physical and/or mental health conditions. A study found that the elderly don’t frequently receive the care recommended for them, such as preventive care and feeds the cycle of being vulnerable. Older adults are increasingly dependent of others for basic needs which automatically makes them vulnerable. The number of older adults who are aged 65 or older. is 14.5% (46.3 million) of the US population. The challenges they face include vary from isolation in their homes, failure to afford healthcare services and difficulties while getting access to healthcare services and general transportation, food access and preparation and mobility.
The elderly are unable to advocate well for themselves, There are ethical issues including; protecting their rights and human dignity, providing care with possible risk to their own health, informed consent, staffing patterns that limits their access to nursing care and more. Nursing advocacy would help our aging population, addressing patients physical, mental, psychosocial and emotional needs. Nursing advocacy involves thinking about the social determinants of health, hygiene, and barriers to access such as transportation, money, as well as each patients available support resources and help in navigating those to aid in minimizing stress levels. Competent nurses place an emphasis on the patient’s health and general well-being and therefore improving their health condition.
Joszt, L. (2018, July 20). Vulnerable populations in healthcare. https://www.ajmc.com/view/5-vulnerable-populations-in-healthcare
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (2003). Trends in aging–United States and worldwide. MMWR. Morbidity and mortality weekly report, 52(6), 101–106.
Okpalauwaekwe, U., Li, C.-Y., & Tzeng, H.-M. (2022). Social Determinants and Self-Care for Making Good Treatment Decisions and Treatment Participation in Older Adults: A Cross-Sectional Survey Study. Nursing Reports, 12(1), 198–209. https://doi-org.lopes.idm.oclc.org/10.3390/nursrep12010020
Post 4:
A vulnerable population in the united states that has seen a rise lately is homeless veterans. Although flawless counts are impossible to come by the transient nature of homeless populations presents a major difficulty , the Department of Veterans Affairs estimates that 107,000 veterans are homeless on any given night.( Pinestreetinn) These groups particularly need advocacy due to the nature of their careers that they have been through being a veterans. More recently Iraq/Afghanistan veterans that experience homelessness have other underlying issues such as mental health issues, adapting back into civilian life, PTSD and lack of support from their families. For many of these veterans the military is the only thing that they knew and was their main support system. When these veterans are discharged after service the veteran affairs (VA) sometimes does not offer enough support to transition these individual back in to the normal society. This on top of other issues such as substance abuse can cause his group to become homeless and become harder to break out of homelessness. People experiencing homelessness generally need a holistic approach to care, according to Weber. That includes addressing patients’ physical, mental, psychosocial and emotional needs. It involves thinking about the social determinants of health, including employment, hygiene, and barriers to access such as transportation ( Hilton 2022) Nurse advocating for these individuals are beneficial because this group needs expert support to get through this difficult tme in their life.
About the Author: Lisette Hilton Lisette Hilton, Hilton, L., & 16, C. V. F. (2022, February 24). Health Care for the homeless is what these nurses do best. Nurse.com Blog. Retrieved April 18, 2022, from https://www.nurse.com/blog/2022/02/03/providing-health-care-for-the-homeless-what-nurses-do-best/
Mightyspark. (2022). Facts about homeless veterans. Pine Street Inn. Retrieved April 18, 2022, from https://www.pinestreetinn.org/news_events/facts_about_homeless_veterans
