NURS 352 Population Focused Nursing Care Weeks 4 & 5: Section 1 Knowledge Check by Mary Girardi

Vulnerable Populations

2024-03-22 20:16:47 UTC

I think there is truth to both statements. Vulnerabilities can be the result of the impacts of social determinants of health, and existing vulnerabilities can also exacerbate the impacts of social determinants of health.

Social determinants of health, such as income, education, employment, social support, and housing, can create vulnerabilities by affecting individuals' ability to access and utilize healthcare services, maintain good health, and prevent disease. For example, individuals with low income may not be able to afford health insurance or out-of-pocket healthcare costs, making them more vulnerable to health problems.

On the other hand, existing vulnerabilities can also make the impacts of social determinants of health worse. For instance, individuals who are already vulnerable due to factors like age, disability, or chronic illness may be more severely affected by social determinants of health. If they have low income, lack social support, or live in poor housing conditions, these social determinants of health can further compromise their health and well-being.

-Stephanie B.

Vulnerabilities - Missa Huitron

2024-03-23 13:22:15 UTC

Missa Huitron

The relationship between vulnerabilities and the impacts of social determinants of health (SDOH) in nursing is bidirectional and complex. On one hand, vulnerabilities can arise as a direct result of the negative impacts of SDOH. On the other hand, pre-existing vulnerabilities can exacerbate the effects of SDOH, creating a feedback loop that amplifies health disparities.

1. Vulnerabilities Resulting from SDOH: Social determinants of health—such as income level, educational opportunities, neighborhood and physical environment, employment status, and access to healthcare—can significantly influence individual and community health outcomes. When these determinants are unfavorable, they can create or exacerbate vulnerabilities. For instance, individuals living in poverty may experience higher levels of stress, have limited access to nutritious food, and live in environments with greater exposure to pollutants. These conditions can lead to poorer health outcomes and increased vulnerability to diseases.

2. Vulnerabilities Exacerbating the Impacts of SDOH: Pre-existing vulnerabilities, including genetic predispositions to certain conditions, age, disability, or minority status, can make the effects of social determinants of health worse. For example, an elderly person (age being a vulnerability) living in an underserved community (a negative social determinant) may have a higher risk of adverse health outcomes due to a combination of limited access to healthcare services, social isolation, and the physiological vulnerabilities associated with aging.

The interaction between SDOH and vulnerabilities underscores the importance of a holistic approach to healthcare that addresses both the social determinants of health and individual vulnerabilities. Nursing, with its holistic view of patient care, plays a critical role in identifying and mitigating the effects of both SDOH and vulnerabilities. Nurses can advocate for policies and practices that aim to improve social determinants of health, while also providing personalized care that takes into account individual vulnerabilities. This dual approach can help reduce health disparities and improve health outcomes for all populations, particularly those most at risk.

Vulnerability and Social Determinants (Brian Lang)

2024-03-25 08:30:23 UTC

Vulnerabilities exist, in nature. They are not the result of the impacts of determinants of care. Vulnerabilities happen naturally, for example, being born with genetic predispositions that lead to genetic birth defects or a higher likelihood of having cancer like the BRCA genes in breast cancer. Vulnerabilities also relate to social groups that may face a higher risk of having poor health outcomes; these are referred to as vulnerable populations. Vulnerable populations include those experiencing poverty, homelessness, teen pregnancy, migrant or immigrant status, and members of marginalized communities like LGBTQ+, ethnic minorities, disabled individuals, etc. However, determinants of care can make existing vulnerabilities worse. Determinants of care are external factors such as geographic location, which may affect access to care, or the financial or economic ability of a family that one is born in, which can reduce the ability to access proper care. The relationship between vulnerabilities and social determinants is represented by the cycle of vulnerability, a recurring pattern of adverse health and social consequences stemming from social determinants of health. Disrupting this pattern poses a significant challenge and may persist across multiple generations.

Vulnerabilities are a function of Social Determinants of Health (Jackie Ogawa)

2024-03-25 17:03:51 UTC

Social determinants of health (SDOH) are the non-medical factors that influence health outcomes. They include socioeconomic conditions/stable employment, neighborhood and physical environment, education, social support networks, and access to health care services. These determinants define most vulnerable populations - groups that are at higher risk for poor health due to various social, economic, or environmental factors.

The list of vulnerable populations includes: -people in poverty

-the homeless

-pregnant adolescents and parenting teens

-migrant workers and immigrants

-the severely mentally ill

-substance abusers

-abused individuals and victims of violence

-persons who have HIV, Hepatitis B, or STDs

-persons with other communicable diseases

-other marginalized populations such as LGBTQ+, minority groups, non-English speaking people, children, people with disabilities, the incarcerated and older adults.

All of these parties listed suffer from sub optimal SDH - either economic, social, or environmental. It's a social problem that makes these populations vulnerable.

Vulnerabilities and Social Determinants of Health- Erika Bueno

2024-03-25 22:04:16 UTC

I think it is a nasty cycle that goes in both directions. Some individuals are born with vulnerabilities, like our developmentally delayed individuals or children born with down syndrome, and they are under a greater strain because some of these vulnerabilities come with extra costly conditions. Most of the United States fall in the Middle Class and being able to afford open heart surgery for a child born with tetralogy of fallot can be very difficult. This can bleed into the Social Determinants of Health, where these individuals because of a vulnerability are at a greater disadvantage, making impacts worse on the SDOH. Then on the other hand the opposite is true. Let’s say a family is in the lower class and they do not have preexisting conditions, but because of their social status they may not have access to basic health care which can create a vulnerability. For example, the father in the family may develop type two diabetes because of poor diet choices from lack of education or money to buy fresh ingredients to cook. Or even worse, someone in a low income town has mental health conditions that they cannot find treatment for, so they unfortunately self medicate with illicit drugs, making this a vulnerable population because they may go to prison or contract illnesses from their addiction. I think that its like a pendulum, as with both conditions, problems arise and almost lead back into each other. In some way, they both impact each other in different manners.

Social determinant as a major cause of vulnerability - Olawunmi Kehinde

2024-03-26 06:29:38 UTC

I think vulnerability does exist because of the social determinant. Social determinants of health are the conditions in the environments where people are born, live, learn, work, play, worship, and age that affect a wide range of health, functioning and quality of life outcomes and risk. Social determinants like poverty, unequal access to health care, lack of education, stigma, and racism are underlying contributing factors of health inequalities. Social determinants factors cause vulnerability in individuals, households, and communities that might cause a higher risk for poor outcomes and increase risk during emergencies. These factors specifically address the broader scope and perspective of how to view public health and safety in communities. These factors predispose individual/ community to an already unfair healthcare system. Some of the victims of social determinants experience a cycle/ series of vulnerability which makes access to healthcare even harder for them. Adequate help and assistance should be made available to vulnerable populations because social determinant have a lasting impact on their functionality as a human. A working policy should be implemented to bridge the gap created by social determinant as affect vulnerable population. Healthcare should be a basic human right and should not be held back because of some factor.

Vulnerabilities and Social Determinants of Health - Rebecca Russell

2024-03-26 15:32:30 UTC

I believe that vulnerabilities and social determinants are too closely intertwined to determine which came first. Vulnerable populations are at a greater risk of experiencing challenges that decrease their well-being. On the other hand, social determinants of health negatively impact the well-being of vulnerable people. For example, children are considered to be a vulnerable population. Children are completely dependent on an adult who loves, nurtures, provides, and protects them. If any of these factors are not fulfilled and/or children are raised in an environment where they have adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), they may get caught in the feedback loop of poverty and poor health. Thus, social determinants of health will negatively impact their mental, physical, and intellectual health putting them at risk of current and future challenges with education, social interactions, mental/physical health struggles, and, as an adult, financially. However, I appreciated the TED Talk from the learning resources about viewing health and wellness from an ‘Upstream Approach.’ As a nurse, I want to implement this into my practice so that the source of the problem can be identified, and wellness can be achieved for vulnerable populations.

2024-03-26 16:24:49 UTC

Vulnerabilities and SDOH - Anastasiia Mika

I believe vulnerabilities can come from a combination of social determinants of health and existing inequalities, exacerbating the impacts of those determinants. Even though vulnerabilities exist in nature, social determinants such as access to healthcare, education, income inequality, and environmental factors can create or worsen vulnerabilities within communities. These vulnerabilities, in turn, can amplify the effects of social determinants of health, creating a cycle of disadvantage. Social determinants greatly influence an individual's health outcomes and susceptibility to illness or injury. Addressing SDOH is crucial for improving overall health and reducing vulnerabilities in populations.

As nurses, we interact with vulnerable populations all the time. Some of the examples are low-income individuals and families, the elderly, children and youth, minority groups(LGBTQ+, immigrants, ethnic minorities, refugees, etc), people with disabilities, homeless individuals, and more. Community health nurses play a vital role in supporting vulnerable populations and addressing social determinants of health.

Vulernabilities and Social Determinants of Health- Selina Godina

sgodin71 — 2024-03-27 18:03:11 UTC

I believe vulnerabilities do impact social determinants of health because examples such as lack of access to education, inadequate housing, and racial discrimination can create the vulnerability of the population. An example, a pregnant, teenage mother who lives in poverty is considered a vulnerable individual as they may be limited to access to healthcare services and safe living conditions. In addition, social determinants can also create health disparities and lead to vulnerabilities as low-income families in underserved communities are known to have higher cases of chronic illnesses and mental health issues due to limited access to healthcare services.

I also believe that vulnerabilities can exacerbate negative-existing social determinants. If you are a person of color with pre-existing trauma such as sexual assault, then you may face the challenges of already being a person of color in addition to the difficulty of coping with your sexual assault. This vulnerability can hinder your ability to overcome when you are facing the challenges of racial discrimination in addition.

Social Detriments and Vulnerabilities- Amelia Huizenga

2024-03-27 18:18:07 UTC

It can go either way, in my opinion. Vulnerabilities and social disadvantages can both affect or make one worse. For instance, if a person with a health issue is unable to pay for prescriptions because of their socioeconomic situation or does not have access to healthcare services, they may have more difficulty controlling their health. Living in underprivileged areas may expose residents to higher environmental threats, which raises their chance of illness. They are more susceptible due to their social disadvantages. On the other hand, vulnerabilities can also have an impact on the social determinants of health. For instance, people with disabilities or illnesses may have less options for work and education, which lowers their socioeconomic position and restricts their access to resources that improve their general health. Overall, they can be intertwined. Addressing both aspects is essential for improving the populations health and promoting health equity.

Vulnerabilities- Kellie Bessler

2024-03-27 21:28:32 UTC

Social determinants of health and vulnerabilities can be connected, but I do not think they are mutually exclusive. You can live among vulnerable populations without being affected by social determinants. For example, many people struggle with substance abuse but do not struggle with social determinants. However, I do believe that people who are among the vulnerable, such as low-income or homeless, are also affected by social determinants. Social determinants are things like safe housing or transportation. Social determinants of health are often categorized by conditions in the environment, such as where you work, learn, live, play, etc. Therefore, you often will not have the best school, safest neighborhoods, or access to the healthiest food sources if you are among the low-income population. Consequently, I think vulnerable populations are more likely to be impacted by social determinants of health. In many other situations, individuals may also be affected by social determinants of health but may not be considered a vulnerable population.

Vulnerabilities - Daisy Coronel

2024-03-27 22:15:10 UTC

I believe that vulnerabilities impact social determinants of health. For people who are immigrants, and low-income, the availability of health care has a huge impact on health care.

Both of my parents are immigrants and have recently started going to the doctors for regular check-ups, speaking with my dad he had not seen a primary care doctor in over 45 years. While asking him the reasons why, he stated that he felt embarrassed because English is not his first language and he felt that healthcare workers would talk to him as if he was incompetent. Another reason we spoke about was the financial aspect, he was not sure how much it would cost to see a doctor and he did not want that burden.
Working in a low-income hospital, I see many patients who suffer from mental health illnesses such as schizophrenia, bipolar, depression, anxiety, etc. They come to the ER because they have minimal opportunities for housing, healthcare, and food, and are often discriminated against.

Many social determinants impact healthcare, but there is such a stigma for patients who are immigrants, LGBTQ, suffer from mental illnesses, and are substance abusers. Changes need to be made so we can provide healthcare to every living person.

Vulnerabilities and Social Detriments- Phylicia Dudley

2024-03-28 01:04:38 UTC

I believe that vulnerabilities can be a result of the impacts of social determinants and that they can have a negative effect on a person’s health. Vulnerabilities refer to anything that makes a person, group, or community susceptible to disruptions of health. Social determinants of health are the conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work, and age. For instance, if someone is born into poverty or is advanced in age, they are more vulnerable to health disruptions. Vulnerabilities also include individuals with chronic illnesses, disabilities, communication barriers, ethnic minorities, and more. If a vulnerable person experiences a social detriment such as poverty, it could make it challenging to access healthcare, which could negatively impact their health status.

Social Determinants and vulnerable populations

2024-03-28 03:42:51 UTC

I think vulnerable populations exist because of the lack of resources in the area where these vulnerable populations live. Without the proper conditions to thrive, vulnerabilities will occur. Vulnerable populations like teen pregnancies, for example, exist usually because of a lack of education. The parents of adolescents may be too busy working and trying to provide for the family to worry about what their children are doing or the parents themselves were teenagers when they had their first child. Lack of education and primary health care can also be a factor in teen pregnancy. because a physician can write a script for birth control or provide other forms of contraceptives to prevent pregnancy and STIs. I think social determinants of health play a huge role in the determination of a vulnerable population when disparities are present.

-Victoria Nichelson

The relationship between social determinants and vulnerable populations - Heiddi Son

2024-03-28 04:50:45 UTC

Vulnerabilities and social determinants are so intimately intertwined with one another, it is difficult to define one as the cause and the other as the result. They exist within a feedback cycle of one another. Vulnerabilities may exist due to social determinants of health, however, social determinants can be accentuated by vulnerabilities. So it goes both ways. This is known as the cycle of vulnerability. It is a chronic pattern of adverse health and social outcomes related to continued stressors of social determinants of health.

Vulnerable Populations - Judy Segura

2024-03-28 04:55:06 UTC

I believe social determinants of health result in vulnerabilities and vice versa. For example, a person can be born into a lower socioeconomic class, resulting in poor to no education, lack of access to health, and inferior living conditions. On another note, a life event could jeopardize a person’s economic stability, which results in catastrophic life changes, making them part of a vulnerable population. Illness could result in similar fates. For example, strokes can be devastating and life-altering. Permanent disability would make this once thriving person, vulnerable in many ways other than health.

Vulnerable populations - mariah bishop

2024-03-28 23:15:29 UTC

Vulnerabilities in health outcomes are often intertwined with social determinants of health, creating a complex interplay. While vulnerabilities can exist independently due to various factors such as genetic predispositions or individual health behaviors, they are significantly exacerbated by social determinants such as socioeconomic status, access to healthcare, education, and environmental factors. These determinants can either directly contribute to vulnerabilities, such as limited access to healthcare leading to untreated conditions, or indirectly exacerbate existing vulnerabilities by creating conditions that promote poor health outcomes, such as inadequate housing or food insecurity. In this sense, vulnerabilities and social determinants of health form a cyclical relationship, with vulnerabilities both resulting from and being intensified by the impacts of social determinants. Therefore, addressing social determinants of health is crucial for mitigating vulnerabilities and improving overall health outcomes in populations.

Vulnerabilities - Evelyn Alvarez

2024-03-28 23:48:04 UTC

I feel that vulnerabilities are part of the impact of social determinants. I feel that both exist in relation to each other due to the lack of resources available, or attainable. Some vulnerable populations like homeless individuals have no way of knowing where and how to start. There is a lack of attainable resources. Homeless people may live in areas that have social determinants and lack resources. Therefor homeless people are part of the impact of social determinants.

Relationship: Social Determinants and Vulnerable Populations - Penny Reynolds

2024-03-29 02:45:11 UTC

Vulnerabilities and socioeconomic determinants of health have a complicated, interconnected relationship. I do believe that vulnerabilities have the potential to both cause and worsen the effects of social determinants of health.

The settings in which people are born, live, learn, work, play, worship, and age are known as social determinants of health. These conditions have an impact on a variety of health, functioning, and quality-of-life outcomes and hazards. These can include things like health care access, social support networks, work, neighborhood and physical environment, education, and socioeconomic status.

These factors have the potential to make people and communities vulnerable. For instance, a person may be more susceptible to health problems if they reside in a low-income area with limited access to high-quality healthcare and education.

Deficiencies increase the effects of social factors on health; however, pre-existing vulnerabilities can worsen the negative effects of socioeconomic determinants of health. For example, inadequate living conditions or limited access to treatment may worsen the health of an individual who has a pre-existing medical problem. There seemingly is a connection between socioeconomic determinants of health and vulnerability. They can both contribute to and worsen one another, setting off a vicious cycle that can be challenging to overcome due to lack of financial resources.

Vulnerabilities and Social Determinants of Health (Meshyl Bonjoc)

2024-03-30 20:22:51 UTC

Social determinants of health are the conditions in the environment in which we are born, live, learn, work, play, worship, and age (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2020). They affect our health and wellbeing, however also contribute to health disparities and vulnerabilities, creating a complex and interconnected relationship. Vulnerable populations are social groups who are at more risk relative to others in the community, and are also more susceptible to poor health outcomes. The long list of vulnerable populations includes the homeless; pregnant adolescents and parenting teens; migrant workers and immigrants, children, people with disabilities, the incarcerated and the elderly, among many more (NUR352, 2024). The selected aggregate that I am exploring in this course is individuals enrolled in Medicaid, who are included in those vulnerabilities. These vulnerable populations may be the result of limited access to care, a lack of resources in the community, or socioeconomic status. Limited access to health care has a significant impact on existing conditions left untreated, making them more susceptible to worsening health problems, affecting overall outcomes of the community, and the interconnected relationship continues. Population-focused nurses must identify and understand the stressors that vulnerable groups experience in order to implement effective strategies to reduce disparities and mitigate the impact of social determinants of health.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2020). Social Determinants of Health. Healthy People 2030; Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. https://health.gov/healthypeople/priority-areas/social-determinants-health

NUR352 (2024). 2.2 Definition of vulnerability [Text]

https://uic.blackboard.com/ultra/courses/_265802_1/cl/outline

Social Determinants of Health - Brooke Gurnicz

2024-04-02 13:52:26 UTC

Social determinants of health are important because they impact the health and well-being of people and the communities they interact with. Economic Stability, Health Care Access and Quality, and Education Access, and Quality are just a few that represent domains of social determinants. Healthy People 2030 is a great way to address many of these issues. Carrying insight and new ways to approach change including core objectives, developmental objectives, and research objectives. A simplistic topic I think regarding the promotion of a healthy environment includes a change of foods offered in school cafeterias. Limiting fried options in schools and replacing them with grilled food options is a simplistic way to change the health of our youth. Simplistic changes like this can help health and quality to create healthier and a more sustainable future for the youth population. This correlates to social determinants because improving access to nutritious food supports overall health. With better food to fuel our bodies, it reduces chronic disease.