The homeless as a vulnerable population

Nurs Clin North Am. 1999 Jun;34(2):261-74.

Abstract

The homeless population is a social group that is vulnerable because the homeless are at an increased risk for adverse health-related outcomes. Understanding the nature of homelessness and the relationship between resource availability, relative risks, and health status is critical for nurses to diagnose and treat health-related problems in this vulnerable population. This article discusses the homeless as a vulnerable population by using the health-related problems of vulnerable population's model as a theoretical framework. Specific primary, secondary, and tertiary nursing interventions useful for providing care are discussed and a case study is provided to exemplify these relationships.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Health Policy
  • Health Resources*
  • Health Services Accessibility
  • Health Status*
  • Humans
  • Ill-Housed Persons* / statistics & numerical data
  • Male
  • Models, Nursing
  • Nursing / organization & administration
  • Nursing Care* / methods
  • Risk Factors
  • Socioeconomic Factors
  • United States