Answer

Vulnerable Populations Report: Homeless Population

Part One: Vulnerable Population

                The homeless population is the chosen vulnerable population for this analysis. The homeless population is regarded as a social group which is vulnerable because the members of this group are at an enhanced for suffering adverse health associated outcomes.

Social and Economic Environment

                Social and economic factors such as the lack of affordable housing, poverty, and uncertain mental and physical health and addictions are the primary factors which contribute towards the homelessness experienced in the community (Gourevitch, Athens, Levine, Kleiman & Thorpe, 2019). Evidently, poverty has made it difficult for the member of the community to own homes since most are not able to cater for their mortgage costs or rental charges. Social factors such as addictions and state of limited mental health services results to a dynamic relationship to homelessness as such persons will not see the value of owning homes. Poor income levels make it difficult for the members of the community to access fundamental services such as quality medical care, and hence an increased mortality rates and potential to contract diseases such as pneumonia associated with homelessness (Gourevitch, Athens, Levine, Kleiman & Thorpe, 2019).

Physical Environment

                The physical environment, explored from the climate’s perspective can influence the health of the members of the homeless community in various ways. Notably, aspects such as increased air pollution, health waves, increased floods and storms severity and the changes in the infectious disease vectors negatively influences health of the homeless people in that they will directly experience the impact of the changes which increase the potential for diseases (Valentine, Theadora & Hosseinpoor, 2016). For instance, during cold seasons, the homeless are exposed to cold as a result of the lack of protection associated with having a shelter hence increased potential for contracting diseases.

Individual Characteristics

                The individual characteristic of the homeless people includes the complex mental, physical, and substance use conditions which is mainly common as a result of living in shelters and on the streets for extended periods of time. The outlined individual characteristics increases the likelihood that the members of the population can develop several health problems such as chronic diseases, skin disorders, trauma, face rape or even physical assault (Valentine, Theadora & Hosseinpoor, 2016). Most homeless people have complex mental health states which expose them to increased risk of death from the pulmonary and cardiovascular diseases likely to arise from extreme heat or cold associated with living outside. Additionally, most homeless people are not educated due to their poor income status. This affects their health as most lack the requisite knowledge about the self-care strategies when it comes to contagious diseases, such as TB, thus increasing their potential to contract the diseases.

Behaviors

                The homeless people in the community are known to engage in risk behaviors which mainly pose a risk to their health. For instance, substance abuse is one of the common risky behaviors associated with the members of this population. Increased substance abuse can result to addiction and other chronic health conditions such as the liver problems and kidney failure (Valentine, Theadora & Hosseinpoor, 2016).  Moreover, the substance abuse can also lead to increased risky behavior especially when one is addicted such as engaging in unhealthy sexual behaviors which increase the risk for STIs contraction.

Part Two: Public Health Nurse and Multidimensional Strategies

                The primary role of the public health nurse in assisting the members of the vulnerable community such as the homeless people is to offer them with an education about how they can maintain a good health to decrease the level of deaths and disease occurrence. For instance, the nurse can educate the homeless about the impact of their drug abuse behavior to their health and the need to overcome the drug usage (Palma et al., 2020). Additionally, the public health nurse can also assist the homeless by offering volunteer care services for the community since most cannot afford to pay for health care services. Also, encouraging the community members to donate hygiene feminine products for the women in the homeless community can also be effective in promoting a better health outcome.

                Different multi-dimensional strategies can be utilized as interventions for the members of the vulnerable population. Social support strategies can be effective in enhancing the mental health status of the members of the vulnerable population. The social support, given the marginalized state of the members of the community, can be offered by friends, family, neighbors and other service providers to promote a desirable mental health. Social support can be effective in various ways. For instance, social support will foster good health by establishing positive affective states and supportive relationships which provides the community members with support when it comes to accessing positive social influences to encourage healthy behaviors (Palma et al., 2020).

Offering financial support is also an effective strategy which can be considered for the members of the vulnerable community. Offering financial support to the members of the homeless population will enhance the physical health status of the affected in that they will find it easier to find a shelter hence reduce the associated risks of physical abuse related with homelessness (Palma et al., 2020). For instance, with financial assistance, the members of the community can be provided with short-term loans without interest, which they can use to develop temporary homes to meet their basic needs and eliminate the health threats associated with being homeless.