Special populations in health care Review your classmates' posts.
Provide a substantive response (a minimum of 100 words) to at least two of your peers by comparing and/or contrasting your selected three groups to theirs. What similarities or differences do you notice?
How did your classmates justify their responses? Sumika The 3 groups I feel are most vulnerable ,of the groups described in Special populations in health care, are mothers and children, people affected by alcohol and substance abuse, and indigent and homeless people. Mothers and children are vulnerable when they share the same body as well as once the baby is born.
The behavior of the expectant mother contributes to her medical conditions as well as the child's. Whether the expectant mother has prenatal care can lead to infant mortality, premature birth and low birth weight.(Burkholderer 2013).
Teenage mothers are at more risk. If the teenage mother engages in risky behavior like smoking, she damages her health and her babies health.
Smoking during pregnancy among adolescences is a significant predictor of increased activity and behavior problems in their offspring.(Cornelius 2007). In 2010 over 64% of legal adults reported some use of alcohol. Alcohol increases negative health risk. Individuals who experience problems with alcohol and drugs are more likely to have comorbid symptoms of mental illness.(JOWH 2008).Maslow's Heirarchy of Needs describes shelter as a basic need. Homeless individuals have high levels of lifetime drama. Homeless women may be victimized adding more stress and leading to mental illness.(JOSCP 2011).
The physical, mental, and social aspects of health of all vulnerable groups overlap. At various times, the vulnerable populations are in different places on the health continuum. If the mother receives prenatal care she and the baby may remain healthy throughout and after the pregnancy. The mother may develop post partum depression after the baby is born and become dependent on alcohol. The teenage mother may have a low birth weight baby. Weighing less than 5.5 pounds at birth can make the baby more vulnerable to colds.
Woman and children need access to prenatal and postnatal healthcare. They need health counseling, especially for the teenage mother. They need supplemental food to assure adequate nutrition. People affected with alcohol require education on the physical and mental consequences of alcohol and drugs. Affordable healthcare if they become addicted to drug or alcohol to assist with overcoming the addiction.
They need access to community programs that provide opportunities to socialize. Affordable housing should be available to everyone. Financial counseling is needed to become financially stable and able to maintain a home. Mental Health counseling is needed to combat the stress of transitioning into a home.
References Burkholder, D.,M., & Nash, N.B. (2013) Special population in health care, San Diego, CA Bridgepoint Education, Inc. Cornelius, M., Nicotine & Tobacco Research Vol. 9 (7) July 2007 pp 739-750 Taylor & Francis Journal of Social Clinical Psychology Vol. 30, No8, 2011, pp887-904 Journal of Women's Health Vol. 18 No 4 2009 Mary Ann Liebert Inc. doi 10.1089/jwh 208. 0953
Special Populations Text:Burkholder, D. M., & Nash, N. B. (2013).