In This Journal, You Will Analyze The Healthcare Profession
In this journal, you will analyze the healthcare professional’s role in advocacy, specifically as it relates to vulnerable populations such as children, women, handicaps, and the uninsured. How does the policy stakeholder advocate for the health of vulnerable populations?
In this journal, you will analyze the healthcare professional’s role in advocacy, specifically as it relates to vulnerable populations such as children, women, handicaps, and the uninsured. How does the policy stakeholder advocate for the health of vulnerable populations? Reflect on your current or future role in a health profession and how you might support the advocacy of a vulnerable population.
As healthcare professionals, advocacy plays a crucial role in shaping policies and practices that promote health equity for vulnerable populations. Policy stakeholders, including healthcare providers, administrators, and policymakers, advocate for these groups by influencing legislation, participating in community outreach, and lobbying for resources and services tailored to their needs. For example, healthcare professionals may work to expand access to care through policy initiatives, advocate for patient rights, and contribute to research that highlights disparities affecting vulnerable populations (Kaiser Family Foundation, 2020). Their active involvement helps to ensure that healthcare systems recognize and address the unique challenges faced by marginalized groups, such as children with special health needs, women facing reproductive health issues, individuals with disabilities, and uninsured populations.
Considering my future role in the healthcare field, I anticipate that supporting advocacy for vulnerable populations will involve both direct patient care and participation in policy development. As a future healthcare professional, I plan to stay informed about healthcare policies affecting these groups and engage in community education to raise awareness about available resources. Additionally, I aim to collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to promote health equity and serve as a voice for those who may not be able to advocate for themselves. For instance, advocating for increased access to preventive services and mental health support for underserved populations will be integral to my professional responsibilities. Ultimately, active engagement in advocacy efforts is essential for fostering a healthcare environment that prioritizes the needs and rights of vulnerable populations.
In conclusion, healthcare professionals serve as vital advocates for vulnerable populations by influencing policy and implementing practices that promote equitable access and care. By leveraging their professional expertise and community involvement, they can help reduce disparities and improve health outcomes for marginalized groups, ensuring that all individuals receive the care they deserve.
References
Kaiser Family Foundation. (2020). Mental health and substance use disorder policies. Retrieved from https://www.kff.org
Braveman, P., & Gottlieb, L. (2014). The social determinants of health: It's time to consider the causes of the causes. Public Health Reports, 129(Suppl 2), 19–31.
World Health Organization. (2013). Social determinants of health. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/social_determinants/en/
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2018). Health disparities and inequalities report—United States. MMWR, 67(3), 1–22.
Graham, G. N. (2016). Disparities in health care among racial and ethnic minorities. Journal of the National Medical Association, 108(5), 329–332.
Andrews, J. O., & Boyle, J. S. (2019). Transcultural concepts in nursing care. Jones & Bartlett Learning.
United Nations. (2015). Transforming our world: The 2030 agenda for sustainable development. Retrieved from https://sdgs.un.org/2030agenda
Frenk, J., et al. (2010). Healthcare reform in Mexico: Moving towards universal coverage. The Lancet, 375(9720), 1782–1790.
Roberts, E. T., & Ricci-Cabello, I. (2019). Advocacy for vulnerable populations: Building capacity among health professionals. Health Promotion International, 34(1), 3–14.
Schmid, M., & Wasserheit, J. N. (2020). Addressing health disparities: The role of policy and professional advocacy. American Journal of Public Health, 110(S2), S123–S128.