Definition Of Vulnerable Populations In Healthcare

Even though our wound care services are open to all seniors we know there are vulnerable populations that are not using the program at all.

Definition of vulnerable populations in healthcare. Environmental health in emergencies and disasters. Who 2002 children pregnant women elderly people malnourished people and people who are ill or immunocompromised are particularly vulnerable when a disaster strikes and take a relatively high share of the disease burden associated with emergencies. Hospitalists may play a significant role in influencing the health status health care access and health care delivery to vulnerable populations due to their higher rates of hospital utilization. In the united states significant disparities exist in healthcare for vulnerable populations.

Ideas and inputs were sought regarding the following definition of vulnerable populations. Vulnerable populations are defined as groups who are at increased risk of receiving a disparity in medical care on the basis of financial circumstances or social characteristics such as age race gender ethnicity sexual orientation spirituality disability or socioeconomic or insurance status. The oxford english dictionary defines vulnerability as the quality or state of being exposed to the possibility of being attacked or harmed either physically or emotionally 1 in one sense vulnerability is characteristic of the human condition. Vulnerability is the degree to which a population individual or organization is unable to anticipate cope with resist and recover from the impacts of disasters.

Children are generally referred to as a vulnerable population with respect to their health because of their relative inability to advocate for their own interests and to protect themselves from harm. Older adults increasing risk with each decade especially over 60 years. When speaking with a colleague in community care you could say. Vulnerable populations are 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.

Vulnerable populations may include individuals who are at risk of more severe disease or outcomes including. Members of vulnerable populations often have health conditions that are exacerbated by unnecessarily inadequate healthcare. However definitions and applications of this concept in health care are diverse 2 3 as cmaj launches its focus on vulnerable populations. Vulnerable populations defined as those at greater risk for poor health status and healthcare access experience significant disparities in life expectancy access to and use of healthcare.

The world health organization identifies children as being particularly vulnerable to poor health outcomes especially in the case of natural disasters or other calamities 1.