Topic 3 DQ 1
Re:Topic 3 DQ 1
The ANHE (n.d) defines risk as the chance of harmful effects to human health or to the ecological system that result from exposure to an environmental hazardous. An environmental hazard is any physical, chemical, or biological entity that causes harm. According to AJMC (2016) vulnerable populations include economically disadvantages, racial & ethnic minorities, the uninsured, low income, the elderly, and the homeless. Risks as well as vulnerability effect individual’s health.
ANHE (n.d.) states that there are risks that can be changed as others that can’t. The factors that cannot be changed are gender, age, and ethnicity. The factors that can be changed are habits that predisposes one to harmful health effects. For example, a group at risk for poor health can be a group of individuals that choose to smoke regardless of the risks. This group is able to financially support their habit as well as pay for health coverage. They are enrolled in health coverage to take care of the illnesses that may arise from their smoking habits. AJMC (2016) reports that homeless individuals are vulnerable for poor health. Homeless individuals usually do not have insurance, cannot afford medical treatment, live in bad living conditions that predisposes them to health problems. Homeless individuals are usually combating some type of mental or drug problem. The majority of people discriminate against the homeless. This affects the help offered to this group of individuals. They usually give up in life and do not try to advocate for themselves. They believe they will always be discriminated and be belittled. This group of individuals should be respected and more resources should be offered. This could decrease their risk for health problems.
Although not all risk can be changed, there are ones that can. Changing behavioral habits can decrease one’s risk for poor health. On the other hand, being vulnerable to poor health is harder to combat. There has to be equally opportunities such as adequate housing, schooling, income, medical treatment, and equal treatment despite ethnicity.
