vulnerable population

By: Debbie Allen, Andrea Cvijanovic, Tracy Smith, &

Sarah Henderson

Define your population

• “An immigrant is a person who resides in the United States after successfully petitioning for permission to enter as a legal alien resident and ultimately seek naturalization as a U.S. citizen.”

• Immigrants work in conjunction with a US sponsor who is financially responsible for the immigrant

Facts about immigration in the United States

• The foreign-born population of the US is 9.5 percent of the total population (in 2000). – Australia: 22. 7%– Canada: 16%– Germany: 7.3%

• Los Angeles is home to one fifth of the US Hispanic population

• Immigrants are significantly more likely to be self employed than natives

• The proportion of immigrants with bachelor 's or postgraduate degrees is much higher than the proportion of the native labor force.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q3JToii4Aq4

Immigrants are a vulnerable population.

Individuals made vulnerable by :• financial circumstances or place of residence• health• age • functional or developmental status • ability to communicate effectively• presence of chronic or terminal illness or

disability• personal characteristics• populations less able than others to safeguard

their own needs and interests adequately

How does culture or diversity affect this population?

• Immigrants arrive and they overwhelmed with feelings of shock and arousal due to a new environment.

• These feelings can lead to misunderstandings and loss of trust due to differences in culture.

• Immigrants can reject or directly assimilated into the culture. This results from ability to incorporate the present or live in the past.

• Depending on the importance to preserve the primary culture the immigrants either become integrated or they naturally assimilate.

• All of these depend on both the individual and familial coping strategies.

Healthcare problems for immigrants

• Illegal immigrants are afraid to seek for care in fear of deportation.

• Medication compliance/expenses• Finding an interpreter• Health insurance when they first arrive

– Since many own private business, they have to get healthcare on their own and many ignore that need.

Are there any laws or legislation to protect these individuals?

• Federal immigration law determines whether a person is an alien, the rights, duties, and obligations associated with being an alien in the United States, and how aliens gain residence or citizenship within the United States.

• It also provides the means by which certain aliens can become legally naturalized citizens with full rights of citizenship. Immigration law serves as a gatekeeper for the nation's border, determining who may enter, how long they may stay, and when they must leave.

• Naturalization Act of 1790• Fourteenth Amendment• Immigration Act of 1924 • The Nuremberg Code of 1947 • Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952• On March 1, 2003, the Department of

Homeland Security opened, replacing the Immigration and Naturalization Services ( INS). 

What is the CHN's role in advocating for this population? 

• Communication• LEARN

– Listen actively to the other person’s perception of the concern– Explain your perception of the concern– Acknowledge and discuss differences and similarities.– Recommend action– Negotiate an agreement on a plan

• They are always looking out for the best interest of this population– Find appropriate interpreters– Be aware of abuse/neglect and other stress related disorders– Consider appropriate referrals– Clarify misconceptions– Deliver care that is sensitive to the patient’s cultural views.

Reference

•(2009). Immigration, immigration law: an overview. Retrieved July 21, 2009,from Cornell University Law School Web site: http://topics.law.cornell.edu/wex/Immigration•Frey, William F. (2002). US immigration facts. Retrieved July 21, 2009, from

Rapid Immigration Web site: http://www.rapidimmigration.com/usa/1_eng_immigration_facts.html •Lambdin, Cindy Introduction to vulnerable populations and preparedness

planning. Retrieved July 21, 2009, from Center for Infectious Disease & Emergency Readness Web site:http://www.idready.org/webcast/materials/spr07/vulnerable_populations/20070403/Introduction_to_Vulnerable_Populations_and_Preparedness_Planning_Revised_cjl_4_3_07_37.ppt•Ruof, Mary C. (2005). Vulnerability, vulnerable population, policy. Retrieved

July 21, 2009, from Kennedy Institute of Ethics Web site: http://bioethics.georgetown.edu/publications/scopenotes/sn44.pdf•Bogomolov, B. (2009). Refugee Health Service. BJH Center for Diversity

and Cultural Competence.