Running head: Children with disabilities
Children with Disabilities: A Vulnerable Population
Lycia L. Harris, R.N
Jacksonville State University
Children with disabilities
Children with Disabilities: A Vulnerable Population
Vulnerable populations are populations at risk. The American Journal of Medicine
defines a vulnerable population as: the economically disadvantaged, racial and ethnic minorities,
the uninsured, low-income children, the elderly, the homeless, those with human
immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and those with other chronic health conditions, including severe
mental illness (ajmc.com, 2006). Children with disabilities are a vulnerable population.
According to Healthy People 2020, the United State Census 2000 counted 49.7 million people
with some type of disability or long term illness (Healthypeople.gov). All people with
disabilities, no matter the age, should have the same access to health care.
Healthy People 2020 identified and outlined 4 topics of importance related to disabled
Americans. Those with disabilities should: be included in the public health activities, receive
well-timed interactions and services; interact with their environment without barriers and
participate in everyday life and activity. I also feel these are areas of importance and need to be
improved for our disabled children. Addressing the needs of disabled children involves making
healthcare, education and ease of access to services apart of the overall care and management of
this population. It is important for APHNs to be conscious of this underserved community in
order to meet its needs.
Disability can occur at any time to anybody. Those with disabilities should have every
chance to participate in any and all activities that promote as close to normal activity as possible
and be contributing factors in their community. People should not be defined by the fact that
they have a disability. In children, some causes of disabilities include: fetal alcohol syndrome,
fetal drug addiction, lack of oxygen at birth, prematurity, difficulties that occur after birth such as
infection, poor nutrition, abuse or neglect, under development of the spinal cord, chromosomal
Children with disabilities
abnormalities, genetic disorders and injuries from accidents(NICHCY.org). The March of
Dimes estimates that about 150,000 babies are born with birth defects that can lead to long term
disability each year in the United States (March of Dimes.com).
Disparities in health care must be identified. Some causes of disparities in this
community include: ethnicity, race and socioeconomic factors. Children of low income families
have higher rates of mortality, disability and are likely to have more than one disability
(NIHCM.org). Decreased parental education combined with decreased availability of financial
resources usually result in children having decreased health status (NIHCM.org). Family
education is so important in these instances.
Prevention of and the education of pregnant mothers about birth defects has been a long
running campaign that has led to improved newborn health and decreased the incidents of birth
defects nationally. Birth defects lead to long term disability and the need for long term care.
Public health initiatives should be aimed at identification of those mothers and ethnic groups at
risk for having babies born with birth defects. Careful monitoring of at risk groups and proper
reporting of data to focus groups and governmental agencies should be done to aid that
identification. Public health nurses must focus care on prevention, education and communication
so those at risk dont fall between the cracks.
This is not always easy due to lack of available public health resources and changes to
healthcare policy. In order for the APHN to be effective, he or she must stay abreast of
information, community resources and healthcare laws as it relates to children with disabilities,
and intervene when necessary. Services such as early intervention should be initiated to at risk
children at the first sign of developmental delays. Providing assistance, support and information
Children with disabilities
on access to healthcare should be available to parents. This assistance and training should also
be available for healthcare providers such as pediatricians, nurses, and therapist.
Children with disabilities and their families should also be able to interact and participate
in their everyday surroundings, meaning their environment, without barriers. Access to
buildings, parks, and all public places of interest should be facilitated in use of both physical and
universal design concepts and operational policy shifts (Healthpeople.gov). Ongoing efforts to
improve issues and heath of the disabled should include educational courses about disability and
health, assessment of drug and alcohol abuse by families and treatment modalities, including and
improving strategies of emergency preparedness and response, and including children and adults
with disabilities in all efforts of health promotion on both local and national levels
(healthypeople.gov).
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References:
A Parents Guide: Finding Help for Young Children with Disabilities (Birth 5). Retrieved
from: National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities Online http://NICHCY.org
Birth
Defect
Research.
http://www.marchofdimes.org
Retrieved
from:
The
March
of
Dimes
Online
Healthy People 2020 Topics and Objectives. Retrieved from http://www.healthypeople.gov
Reducing Health Disparities among Children: STRATEGIES AND PROGRAMS FOR HEALTH
PLANS. Retrieved from: National Institute of Healthcare Management Online http://NIHCM.org
Vulnerable Populations: Who are they? Retrieved from: The American Journal of Medicine
Online http://www.ajmc.org
Children with disabilities
