Vulnerable Populations
Vulnerable Populations
The vulnerable populations refer to the individuals having a higher likelihood of facing difficulties as far as health statuses are concerned; they have limited access to resources to take care of themselves compared to other members of the society. Generally, the low resilience of the vulnerable populations to health risks is exacerbated by poverty and the limited access to social, physical, and environmental resources that they require to enjoy the same level of quality of life as other demographics in the society (Palley, 2016). Additionally, vulnerable populations such as teen mothers and migrant workers are more susceptible to various health risks because of their low levels of education, illiteracy, and low-level skills. These factors prevent them from gaining access to the economic opportunities and income necessary to maintain health and well-being. The literature has also discovered that one of the reasons for the high sensitivity of the vulnerable population to health risks is their separation from core elements of society, such as the high rate of disenfranchisement of homeless people as well as prisoners from utilizing some of the public health resources available to all citizens. As a result, because of poverty, local social, economic, and environmental resources, including the high illiteracy, vulnerable populations do not have access to healthcare resources that could enhance their health condition and quality of life.