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Addressing the Health Needs of Vulnerable Populations
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Addressing the Health Needs of Vulnerable Populations

A special issue of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (ISSN 1660-4601). This special issue belongs to the section "Health Care Sciences & Services".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 March 2023) | Viewed by 9841

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Sarah N. Forrester

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Population and Quantitative Health Sciences, UMass Chan Medical School, University of Massachusetts, Worcester, MA 01655, USA
Interests: health inequities/equity; racial/ethnic health; aging; older people with cardiovascular disease

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The health of vulnerable populations in society is commonly worse than that of the general population. A variety of socioeconomic factors, income geography (for example, region or whether urban or rural), and specific characteristics such as sex, gender identity, ethnicity, disability, race, caste, or socially excluded groups (for example, people experiencing homelessness) shape the patterns of health inequities. Individuals who have faced greater social or economic barriers have less access to health care services. Therefore, these groups are particularly susceptible to poor health, chronic disease, disability, and early mortality. Standard health care delivery may not meet the needs of these vulnerable populations, and a range of complex health needs are often presented. This Special Issue welcomes papers focused on subjects that address the health needs of vulnerable populations, including papers that focus on a strength-based approach to treating vulnerable populations.

Dr. Sarah N. Forrester
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2500 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • health inequities
  • vulnerable populations
  • health needs
  • racial/ethnic minority
  • health-related quality of life

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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12 pages, 334 KiB  
Article
Diet Quality, Health, and Wellbeing within the Irish Homeless Sector: A Qualitative Exploration
by Divya Ravikumar, Elena Vaughan and Colette Kelly
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(23), 15976; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192315976 - 30 Nov 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2119
Abstract
Financial barriers and limited cooking facilities are major obstacles to healthy dietary practices among the homeless population. Homelessness is currently at crisis point and up-to-date evidence from multiple stakeholders is needed to address dietary inequalities. The aim of this study was to understand [...] Read more.
Financial barriers and limited cooking facilities are major obstacles to healthy dietary practices among the homeless population. Homelessness is currently at crisis point and up-to-date evidence from multiple stakeholders is needed to address dietary inequalities. The aim of this study was to understand dietary practices, barriers to healthy eating within homeless services from multiple perspectives. Twelve service users and five healthcare and social service providers participated in semi-structured interviews. Data were analysed thematically. Four themes were identified which included: lack of control over diet and food supply; sources of food for the homeless population; practical barriers to good nutrition; and the impact of diet on emotional and physical wellbeing. Frequent consumption of energy-dense, nutrient-poor foods was reported. Food insecurity resulted in perceived depressive symptoms and stress. Barriers to healthy diet included financial constraints and a lack of access to cooking and storage facilities. Our study highlights low levels of food skills and healthy eating knowledge among service users and service providers. In order to address diet-related health disparities, health promotion initiatives should be targeted at building healthy public policy in relation to diet and nutrition and developing food skills with members of this population and service providers. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Addressing the Health Needs of Vulnerable Populations)
7 pages, 307 KiB  
Article
Neck Circumference and Blood Pressure Measurements among Walter Sisulu University Students
by Nthai E. Ramoshaba, Mthetho Q. Fihla, Wenzile S. Mthethwa, Lisa Tshangela and Zuqaqambe M. Mampofu
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(22), 15235; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192215235 - 18 Nov 2022
Viewed by 1746
Abstract
Hypertension is a public health problem in South Africa. Increases in subcutaneous fat, presented by the neck circumference (NC) value, contribute to and predict the development of hypertension. However, to date, there has been no study done to investigate the relationship between the [...] Read more.
Hypertension is a public health problem in South Africa. Increases in subcutaneous fat, presented by the neck circumference (NC) value, contribute to and predict the development of hypertension. However, to date, there has been no study done to investigate the relationship between the NC and blood pressure (BP) among historically disadvantaged university students. Therefore, the aim of the study was to investigate the relationship between the NC and BP among Walter Sisulu University students. This cross-sectional study was conducted in Walter Sisulu University. All 127 students were aged 18 years and above and underwent NC and clinical BP measurements using standard procedures. In a Pearson’s correlation analysis, the NC positively correlated with both the systolic blood pressure (SBP) (r = 0.5; p < 0.001) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (r = 0.3; p < 0.001). Furthermore, in the multivariable-adjusted regression analysis, the NC was positively associated with both the SBP (adjusted R2 = 0.3, β = 2.0 (95% CI = 1.1; 2.9), p < 0.001) and DBP (adjusted R2 = 0.1 β = 0.950 (95% CI = 0.3; 1.6), p = 0.008) adjusted for age, gender, body mass index, waist-to-height ratio, alcohol, and smoking. The NC is related to BP among historically disadvantaged university students. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Addressing the Health Needs of Vulnerable Populations)
19 pages, 1219 KiB  
Article
Mothering a Child with ADHD in the Ultra-Orthodox Community
by Jennifer Budman and Adina Maeir
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(21), 14483; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192114483 - 4 Nov 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2083
Abstract
Mothers of children with ADHD are at risk for negative health outcomes. The socio-cultural environment and everyday experiences in life roles may influence psychological health and quality of life. The ultra-orthodox Jewish (UOJ) community is an insular community who is underrepresented in the [...] Read more.
Mothers of children with ADHD are at risk for negative health outcomes. The socio-cultural environment and everyday experiences in life roles may influence psychological health and quality of life. The ultra-orthodox Jewish (UOJ) community is an insular community who is underrepresented in the research, and as such there are no studies exploring the experience of mothering a child in this community. Thus, this study aims to explore the lived experience of mothering a child with ADHD in the UOJ community. The study used a descriptive qualitative phenomenological approach. Ten UOJ mothers of children with ADHD underwent semi-structured in-depth interviews to explore their lived experiences of mothering a child with ADHD. Thematic analysis was carried out on the transcripts. Four main themes, along with several subthemes, emerged from the qualitative analysis: child ADHD manifestations, maternal role, social factors, and self-care. Unique characteristics of the UOJ culture were apparent throughout the themes. UOJ children with ADHD display similar manifestations of symptoms in daily life to those in the general population and maternal burden is similarly present. However, unique perceptions of their maternal role, social factors, and legitimacy for self-care shed light into the impact of this culture on their lived experience. Findings may help promote culturally sensitive health care and interventions for this understudied population. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Addressing the Health Needs of Vulnerable Populations)
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Review

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14 pages, 609 KiB  
Review
Characteristics of High-Resource Health System Users in Rural and Remote Regions: A Scoping Review
by Michele LeBlanc, Tomoko McGaughey and Paul A. Peters
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(7), 5385; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20075385 - 4 Apr 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1691
Abstract
A small proportion of health care users are recognized to use a significantly higher proportion of health system resources, largely due to systemic, inequitable access and disproportionate health burdens. These high-resource health system users are routinely characterized as older, with multiple comorbidities, and [...] Read more.
A small proportion of health care users are recognized to use a significantly higher proportion of health system resources, largely due to systemic, inequitable access and disproportionate health burdens. These high-resource health system users are routinely characterized as older, with multiple comorbidities, and reduced access to adequate health care. Geographic trends also emerge, with more rural and isolated regions demonstrating higher rates of high-resource use than others. Despite known geographical discrepancies in health care access and outcomes, health policy and research initiatives remain focused on urban population centers. To alleviate mounting health system pressure from high-resource users, their characteristics must be better understood within the context in which i arises. To examine this, a scoping review was conducted to provide an overview of characteristics of high-resource users in rural and remote communities in Canada and Australia. In total, 21 papers were included in the review. Using qualitative thematic coding, primary findings characterized rural high-resource users as those of an older age; with increased comorbid conditions and condition severity; lower socioeconomic status; and elevated risk behaviors. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Addressing the Health Needs of Vulnerable Populations)
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Other

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13 pages, 886 KiB  
Protocol
The Effect of Progressive Resistance Exercise Training on Cardiovascular Risk Factors in People with Intellectual Disabilities: A Study Protocol
by Roy G. Elbers, Kirsten I. de Oude, Theodore Kastanidis, Dederieke A. M. Maes-Festen and Alyt Oppewal
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(24), 16438; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192416438 - 8 Dec 2022
Viewed by 1518
Abstract
Progressive resistance exercise training (PRET) reduces cardiovascular risk factors (CVRF) in the general population. It is unknown if PRET also reduces these risk factors in adults with intellectual disabilities (ID). The aim is to present the protocol of an intervention study that investigates [...] Read more.
Progressive resistance exercise training (PRET) reduces cardiovascular risk factors (CVRF) in the general population. It is unknown if PRET also reduces these risk factors in adults with intellectual disabilities (ID). The aim is to present the protocol of an intervention study that investigates the effect of PRET on CVRF in adults with ID. We will use a repeated time series design with one study group. Adults with mild-to-moderate ID and at least two CVRF are eligible (Netherlands Trial Register, NL8382). During a 12-week baseline period, measurements take place at a 6-week interval. After this, the PRET programme starts for 24 weeks, after which all measurements will be repeated. We will use hierarchical regression models, adjusted for sport activity and medication use, to estimate the effect of PRET. After the intervention, the participants will be followed-up for 12 weeks. We will evaluate factors for successful implementation of exercise in daily life. Primary outcomes are: hypertension, obesity, hypercholesterolemia, diabetes, metabolic syndrome. Secondary outcomes are: physical fitness, sarcopenia, physical activity, activities of daily living, falls, challenging behaviour. If our results show that the PRET programme is effective, it may be a promising non-pharmacological intervention to reduce CVRF in adults with ID. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Addressing the Health Needs of Vulnerable Populations)
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