Understanding the   Scope of Vulnerable Populations

Review the descriptions of the special populations addressed in Chapter 1 of your course textbook.  Identify the three groups you feel are most vulnerable. Explain your reasoning for selecting the groups based on:

· An analysis of the statistical data/trends related to the populations. How did you use data to determine the three most vulnerable populations? Explain your thought process.

· The World Health Organization’s formal definition of “health.”  How are the physical, mental, and social aspects of health compromised in these three vulnerable populations in comparison to the others?

· The statistical data and the health compromises identified above. Create a list of at least three health service needs for each vulnerable group you identified.

Your initial contribution should be 250 to 300 words in length. Your research and claims must be supported by your course text and at least one other scholarly source.  Use proper APA formatting for in-text citations and references as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center.

Factors Affecting Vulnerability and Assessment   of Needs

This week’s second discussion forum will focus on two selected groups:

· Vulnerable mothers and children

· People affected by alcohol and substance abuse

Review the video segments titled “Premature Babies: Risks and Costs” (Vulnerable Mothers and Children group) and “Social Cost of Alcohol Abuse” (People Affected by Alcohol and Substance Abuse group) through the Films On Demand database or in the textbook.

· For each segment, select three specific factors from Chapter 2 (e.g., age, gender, culture, ethnicity, education, and income) that are present.

· Reflecting on your experiences and knowledge gained in previous courses, discuss how these factors relate to the group’s vulnerability.  

· Based on the selected factors, assess the health care needs that can be inferred for each group. Discuss which approach(es) to care from Chapter 4, Section 4.1 (i.e., preventive, treatment, or long term), might help address them.

Your initial contribution should be 250 to 300 words in length. Your research and claims must be supported by your course text and at least one other scholarly source.  Use proper APA formatting for in-text citations and references as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center.

Required Resources

Required Text

1. Burkholder, D. M., & Nash, N. B.  (2013). Special populations in health care [Electronic version]. Retrieved from https://content.ashford.edu/

o Chapter 1: Identifying the Vulnerable

§ This chapter is an overview of the vulnerable populations that will be discussed throughout the course.

o Chapter 2: Comparing Vulnerable Groups

§ This chapter contains a comparison of the vulnerable populations that will be discussed throughout the course.

o Chapter 4 – Section 4.1: The Need for an Effective Continuum of Care

§ This section discusses the need for preventive health services, treatment services, and long-term care services for the vulnerable.

Articles

1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2013). Health disparities and inequality report — United States, 2013 (Links to an external site.). Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/pdf/other/su6203.pdf.

2. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2014). Maternal, infant, and child health (Links to an external site.).  Retrieved from http://www.healthypeople.gov/2020/topicsobjectives2020/overview.aspx?topicid=26

3. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.  (2014). Substance abuse (Links to an external site.).  Retrieved from http://healthypeople.gov/2020/topicsobjectives2020/overview.aspx?topicid=40

Multimedia

1. Buruchian, B. (Director), Lerner, A. C., & Lerner, E. (Producer).  (2010). Hope for the alcoholic: Scientific breakthroughs [Television series episode].  In Healthy Body, Healthy Mind.  Boca Raton, FL: Information Television Network.  Retrieved from the Films On Demand database.

o To view the Privacy Policy and Accessibility Statements for this source, please view the Privacy Policies and Accessibility Statements listed in your Syllabus.

2. Leake, C., & Appleby, D. (Producer & Director).  (2008). Babyland: Infant mortality in Memphis, TN [News documentary].  United States: ABC News.  Retrieved from the Films On Demand database.

o To view the Privacy Policy and Accessibility Statements for this source, please view the Privacy Policies and Accessibility Statements listed in your Syllabus.

Recommended Resource
 

Article

1. Braveman, P. A., Kumanyika, S., Fielding, J., LaVeist, T., Borrell, L. N., Manderscheid, R., & Troutman, A.  (2011). Health disparities and health equity: The issue is justice.  American Journal of Public Health, 101(S1), S149-S155.  doi: 10.2105/AJPH.2010.300062

o The full-text version of this article can be accessed through the CINAHL database in the Ashford University Library.