Everywhere you go, whether it is a developing country, a rich or poor neighborhood there are several different factors that influence vulnerable and marginalized populations. The social determinants of health embody those various factors that affect the quality of life of all individuals (Foss, 2021). These determinants include economic stability, education access and quality, healthcare access and quality, neighborhood and built environment, and social and community context (Foss, 2021). All of these are further defined by income, education level, adverse childhood experiences, racism, discrimination, violence, and cultural beliefs.
There are many different strategies that we may employ while taking care of everyone, especially vulnerable populations. Improving how we communicate to our patients would be a great first step in ensuring high quality healthcare. Using interpreters when needed, providing the proper resources (including documents in the preferred language and simple enough for them to understand), respecting their cultural/familial wishes as well. Doing all of this will set a foundation of trust and rapport between our patients and us as healthcare professionals. As public health servants it is important for us to advocate and try our best to meet our patients where they are at in order to break down the barriers that prevent adherence. Being flexible and resourceful with our knowledge and time, will help make strides towards providing equitable healthcare for marginalized populations. As a prospective nurse I believe I will serve many roles out in the field, that of a public health servant to educate and provide equitable access to populations, as well as an activist to fight for systemic changes in both healthcare and society. As someone who came from a vulnerable population, I plan to be non judgmental and culturally competent whenever working with patients.
References
Foss, T. (2021). Public Health Nursing. [PowerPoint slides]. Retrieved from https://brightspace.une.edu/d2l/le/content/12132/viewContent/384491/View
