The homeless as a vulnerable population.

Abstract

The homeless population is a social group that is vulnerable because the homeless are at an increased risk for adverse health-related outcomes. Understanding the nature of homelessness and the relationship between resource availability, relative risks, and health status is critical for nurses to diagnose and treat health-related problems in this vulnerable population. This article discusses the homeless as a vulnerable population by using the health-related problems of vulnerable population's model as a theoretical framework. Specific primary, secondary, and tertiary nursing interventions useful for providing care are discussed and a case study is provided to exemplify these relationships.