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Please write a Paragraph answering to this discussion below with your opinion. Please include citations and references in alphabetical order in case of another source.

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The term “at risk” for poor health is made up of a population of people that share common risk factors or are exposed to risks which poses a threat to their health. A vulnerable population consists of “a group or groups that are more likely to develop health-related problems, have more difficulty accessing health care to address those health problems, are more likely to experience a poor outcome or shorter life span because of those health conditions”(Maurer and Smith, 2013). A vulnerable population includes the poor, the homeless, very young, very old, and severely mentally ill and the disabled. Not all individuals that are at risk for poor health are vulnerable because for an individual to be vulnerable, the individual or group suffer from the factors that puts them at the greater risk for on-going poor heath than at-risk people do (Maurer and Smith, 2013). For an example, an individual is regarded as vulnerable, only if he/she suffers from a disease, income below poverty level, has no health insurance and is stressed as a result of their living conditions (Maurer and Smith, 2013). The people in this group cannot advocate for themselves as they are poor and have limited access to resources that they require. The people that are within this population are usually looked down on therefore making them afraid, ashamed and feel like they don’t deserve to be helped. It would be beneficial to advocate for these people because everyone should be able to have access to care irrespective of their level of income as everyone deserves a chance to live a healthy life. As nurses, when taking care of these group of people, we should treat them with same care and respect as other patients, rich or poor, young or old, disabled or homeless, everyone deserves the same treatment and the right to receive care. “Community health nurses can advocate on behalf of vulnerable groups by writing and calling government representatives and speaking to professional and community organizations about the problems and needs of high-risk groups” (Maurer and Smith, 2013).

Homelessness can be seen in people in both urban and rural areas. According to Maurer and Smith (2013), in rural areas, the largest group of homeless persons consist of white, single or married women and their children. In urban areas, the two largest groups of homeless persons include single men and single women with children. Depending on geographical location, racial and ethnic homeless population varies, such as 80% of the homeless population who are white or African American are found in the urban areas. In rural areas, homeless people are more likely to be white, American Indian, or migrant workers (Maurer and Smith, 2013).

Reference:

Maurer, F., Smith, C. (2013). Community/Public Health Nursing Practice, 5th Edition. Retrieved from https://pageburstls.elsevier.com/#/books/978-1-455…