Vulnerable Populations
After reviewing Module 6: Lecture Materials & Resources, discuss the following;
How effective are the resources in your community for the vulnerable populations we have discussed over the past 2 weeks? In which areas is there room for improvement?
Submission Instructions:
- Your initial post should be at least 500 words, formatted and cited in current APA style with support from at least 2 academic sources.
Exploration of Vulnerable Populations
Read and watch the lecture resources & materials below early in the week to help you respond to the discussion questions and to complete your assignment(s).
(Note: The citations below are provided for your research convenience. You should always cross-reference the current APA guide for correct styling of citations and references in your academic work.)
Read
- Rector, C. & Stanley, M.J. (2022).
- Chapter 23 – Adult Women and Men
- Chapter 24 – Older Adults: Aging in Place
- Chapter 25 – Working with Vulnerable People
- Chapter 26 – Clients with Disabilities and Chronic Illnesses
- Chapter 27 – Behavioral Health in the Community
Supplemental Materials & Resources
- Explore at least 1 of the E-Parent Resource GuidesLinks to an external site.
EParent. (2021). Resource guide directories archives. Special Needs Resource. https://www.eparent.com/special-needs-resource-directory/wpbdp_category/resource-guide-directories/ - Health Insurance in the United States 2015 reportDownload Health Insurance in the United States 2015 report
Barnett, J. C., & Vornovitsky, M. S. (2016, September). Health insurance coverage in the United States: 2015. Census.gov. https://www.census.gov/content/dam/Census/library/publications/2016/demo/p60-257.pdf - Visit the CINAHL Complete under the A-to-Z Databases on the University Library’s Links to an external site.website and locate the article below:
- Read Peterson, K., Sharps, P., Banyard, V., Powers, R.A., Kaukinen, C., Gross, D., et al. (2016). An evaluation of two dating violence prevention programs on a college campus. Journal of Interpersonal Violence,0886260516636069, first published on March 13, 2016. doi: 10.1177/0886260516636069
- Nurses Improving Care for Healthsystem Elders (NICHE)Links to an external site.
Nurses Improving Care for Healthsystem Elders (NICHE). (n.d.). Who we are. https://www.nicheprogram.org/Links to an external site. - Family Promise of Grand Rapids (6:03)
Scott Allen Creative. (2015, April 8). Family promise of Grand Rapids: Overcoming homelessness [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/4OeWyGj66fE
Family Promise of Grand Rapids: Overcoming Homelessness
Answer:
Vulnerable populations are individuals who are at greater risk of experiencing negative outcomes due to various factors such as age, health status, disability, poverty, or social isolation. The resources available in communities to support these populations vary greatly in their effectiveness, and there is often room for improvement in providing adequate support.
The resources available to support adult women and men, older adults, and clients with disabilities and chronic illnesses vary greatly based on geographical location and the availability of government funding. For example, programs like Nurses Improving Care for Healthsystem Elders (NICHE) provide specialized care for older adults in healthcare facilities, but access to these resources may be limited in rural areas. Furthermore, access to health insurance coverage also greatly impacts the ability of individuals to receive adequate medical care and support services. A 2015 report by the US Census Bureau showed that 28.5 million people in the US were uninsured, and the lack of access to health insurance can create significant barriers for vulnerable populations in accessing medical care (Barnett & Vornovitsky, 2016).
Programs like the Family Promise of Grand Rapids, which focuses on overcoming homelessness, can provide support for individuals who are struggling with poverty and social isolation. However, many communities lack similar resources, and those that do exist may be insufficient to meet the needs of all vulnerable populations. Additionally, the effectiveness of these programs can vary based on the quality of implementation, the availability of funding, and the level of community involvement.
In the area of behavioral health, there is often a lack of adequate resources and support for individuals struggling with mental health and substance abuse issues. According to Rector and Stanley (2022), there is a need for increased funding and resources to support the development of community-based behavioral health programs that can provide individuals with the care and support they need.
There is also a need for evidence-based programs and resources in the area of violence prevention. A 2016 study by Peterson et al. (2016) evaluated the effectiveness of two dating violence prevention programs on a college campus, and found that both programs had positive outcomes in reducing incidents of dating violence. However, more research is needed to determine the effectiveness of similar programs in other settings and to identify best practices for preventing violence.
In conclusion, while there are resources available to support vulnerable populations in communities, there is room for improvement in terms of accessibility, quality, and funding. A concerted effort is needed to increase the availability of resources and support services, and to evaluate their effectiveness in meeting the needs of these populations. Additionally, the development of evidence-based programs and resources can help ensure that individuals receive the care and support they need to thrive and lead fulfilling lives.
