At Risk Community Health

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What is the difference between a group "at risk" for poor health and a group considered a "vulnerable" population? An “at risk” group in a population are people or individuals affected by social risk factors for example low health literacy, racial/ethnic minority, low social/economic class, living in a disadvantaged neighborhood, social isolation and non-normative gender/sexual orientation. While a “vulnerable” group are individuals who have a higher probability of developing or experiencing adverse poor health outcomes/illness than other people do in the population. An example of an "at risk" or "vulnerable population" group in the United States and one in another country (or immigrants within the United States). Example of “at risk” or “vulnerable” …show more content…

Community health nurse should be aware of their biases and fears, have a genuine concern and disregard the “I know best” attitude. One should be able to respect these individuals’ beliefs and customs even if they do not make sense to them. Motivational techniques and attentive listening while communicating positively may encourage changes in the affected individuals. Keeping in mind that these individuals in their own right have skills, capacity, and knowledge even in their vulnerability. Privacy should be respected and preconceived notions should be disregarded. Provide information about the selected "at risk" group. Mental illness/health is the inability to cope with ordinary life’s demands and routines causing mild or severe changes in thought and or behavior, which might be caused by several factors including illness, biochemical imbalances, stress, substance abuse and genetic factors. Mental illness can be diagnosed in several categories for example schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depression and anxiety disorders. Individuals suffering from mental illness or emotional disorder can learn to cope or recover through proper care and treatment. How many individuals fall into this group and what are some issues they …show more content…

Although it is documented of individuals diagnosed with mental illness can work, live and function normally, there is still a perception that these individuals are unable to function or work effectively, are less stable and cannot be trusted with money or safety of others around them. This lack of understanding leads to these individuals being discriminated due to the violent attached to people with mental illness. People with mental illness are not given the full care and treatment they deserve by inadequate funding for treatment, limitation on days as an inpatient in psychiatric care and little to no coordination of care between healthcare providers example psychiatrists, hospitals and treating therapist. With the stigma associated with mental illness individuals suffering from mental illness do not get employed and if employed chances of keeping the job due to debilitating disorders example schizophrenia or bipolar. The behavior of individuals with mental illness may lead to adjudication within the legal system if they live in poverty or in the streets due to misunderstanding and stigma. In some cultures individuals born with or suffers mental illness is shunned and castigated even no seeing the light of day since it’s perceived as a curse or bad

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