Question

Identify a population that you will likely serve as an advanced registered nurse that you think is particularly vulnerable to issues of health disparities/inequity.

Answer 1

Low-income and/or homeless individuals

In general, low-income individuals are more likely to have chronic illnesses, and the impact of those illnesses can be more severe. People with low incomes are also disproportionately racial and ethnic minorities. Being low-income, they may be less likely to have coverage and, as a result, have less interaction with the healthcare system.

People with lower incomes are also more likely to have co-occurring conditions—meaning they might have behavioral health issues, such as depression or substance use problems, as well as chronic medical conditions like obesity or diabetes.

Since people experiencing homelessness may not have a safe place to stay, they are at an increased risk for adverse health-related outcomes. These individuals are less likely to have a regular source of care and more likely to forgo care. In addition, it’s difficult to reach homeless individuals because they can often feel stigmatized or unwelcome.