Vulnerable populations

Abstract

Vulnerable populations have been recognized as groups of individuals with a disadvantaged position in social hierarchies due to income, power, and/or prestige, which places them at risk for poor health. These groups include the elderly poor, people with mental illness and substance use disorders, homeless people, and at-risk youth. When considering health-care approaches to vulnerable populations, it is important to explore the social determinants of health that put them at risk. Factors such as demographics, chronic diseases, and social determinants play an important role in health-care intervention strategies and can present challenges to effective care for specific vulnerable groups. There are several models of care that have been developed to improve the health and well-being of certain vulnerable populations, such as the Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) and school-based health clinics. Nonmedical community stakeholders play a key role in care provision and will impact future directions in the care of vulnerable populations.