Pathologies disproportionately affecting the underserved

Abstract

In order to understand the pathologies afflicting the underserved an examination of who this population is key. According to the World Bank’s OVC toolkit, children in general are more vulnerable than adults, and some children are more vulnerable than others (World Bank’s Africa Region and World Bank Institute 2005). The World Bank talks about a downward spiral that may put a child at risk (World Bank’s Africa Region and World Bank Institute 2005). The World Bank OVC Toolkit highlights how changes to the social situation can slowly accumulate resulting in children that are disconnected from the family and without support making them the most vulnerable. These children are then at risk for exploitation, living in poor conditions, poor health outcomes, trauma causing mental health issues and many other problems. This situation occurs in many settings all across the world and affects many children.