Vulnerable Population Analysis

Vulnerable population begins with people of different race, ethnicity and social minority groups. "Race is a category of people who share biologically transmitted traits that are obvious and considered important...ethnicity is a shared cultural heritage...and minority is any category of people distinguished by either a physical or cultural difference that society has subordinated” (Goodfriend, 2016). There are few examples of each, some are Latino, African American, Asian, Native American, and Mexican, Jewish, elderly, homeless, gay and even women. These people are currently about 35 percent of the national population and are projected to become the majority by the year 2050 (Racial and ethnic minority populations, 2016). Minority communities often experience a greater burden of health issues due to poor access to healthcare, inappropriate care …show more content…
Genetics affect risk factors greatly; because of this certain races and ethnicities are more at risk for developing specific diseases such as hypertension, cardiovascular disease (CVD) and diabetes. Latino, Asian and Native Americans are all genetically at greater risk to develop hypertension and diabetes which are precursors for CVD. Discrimination plays a role because populations such as elderly, homeless and gay people suffer from inappropriate or poor care given by workers who do not agree with or understand their lifestyle and choices. Across all vulnerable populations lifestyle and social status play a large role in healthcare. This is due to poor education, poverty, low expectations and limited access in the community. Low income individuals and people of color face increased barriers to access in care, receive poor quality care and experience worse health outcomes. Health inequalities represent the accumulative effect of these factors, they are usually passed on from one generation to the next (Rull,