Review several of your classmates' posts. Provide a substantive response (minimum of 100 words) to your peers What new things did you learn about another vulnerable population from your colleagues?
Compare and contrast your proposed policy to those of your peers Sumika The vulnerable group I would like to make a positive change in their lives is incarcerated individuals. The health disparities among the incarcerated are dramatic.
Over half of state prisoners suffer from drug dependency. Hepatitis C occurs 10 times more in correctional facilities than in the community. Mental health disorders are higher in incarcerated individuals than in the general population.
One of the concerns is that 95% of incarcerated individuals eventual return to their community. (Macmadu 2015). The changes I would make would prepare them for reentry into the community. Upon arrival, all individuals would be screened for infectious diseases(HIV, STIs,& TB) and drug tested. The incarcerated individual would not be released until these results were back and they were notified of their health issues. This would provide better statically data. These screenings will be done every 6 months.
A large percentage of incarcerated individuals are undereducated. Individuals who's sentences are longer than 1 year will be offered GED classes. These classes could be taught by student teachers from local colleges and part of their practicum. Because the incarcerated population is aging there is a higher rate of chronic illness(asthma, diabetes, and hypertension).
Many may not be aware they have these diseases. Incarcerated individuals over 40 would be screened and educated about their needs. Local community health centers could partner with correctional facilities and assist with education.
I would meet with incarcerated individuals as well as correctional officers to discuss these proposals. Each group could present the obstacles and benefits of the proposal and offer solutions.
References Macmadu, Alexandria, and Josiah D. Rich. "Correctional Health is Community Health." Issues in Science and Technology 32, no 1 (Fall 2015)
HCA430: Special Populations Burkholder, D. M., & Nash, N. B. (2013). Special populations in health care
Imagining myself as a policy maker for my small town of St. Martinville Louisiana where I come from, based on what I know and what I have learned in this course, what would I modify or improve to make a positive change in the life of a vulnerable group we have not covered in class? I think about my father who is 85 years old on a fixed income with Medicaid, even though I don't consider him vulnerable, my vulnerable group of choice is the elderly.
The elderly is finding it difficult each year to be provided adequate care with the amount of fixed income they are receiving from the government. It is hard for the elderly to purchase and manage their medication with the ongoing challenges of inflated cost, doctor visits co-pays and premiums. This ongoing issue has been a significant burden on their mental and physical state of mind, not to mention those who have disabilities or multiple chronic diseases.
Transportation is also a hindering factor for those without access to a vehicle, they find it difficult to get to their clinical appointments, pharmacy or local store for groceries.
A program needs to be put into place for the assurance of reliable transportation and in-home care treatment for those who wish to live independently in the care of their own home.
In the health profession, organizations must be aware of the needs for the elderly and administer appropriate policies that will promote their medical needs through demographics and health trends.