SYSTEMATICALLY DISADVANTAGED POPULATIONS, AREAS AND FACILITIES
We recognize systematically disadvantaged populations, areas and facilities as those for which the social conditions in which people are born and live and age do not ensure opportunities for them to be healthy and to flourish. They are disproportionately affected by disease, dysfunction and ill-being.
On our approach, not providing such opportunities is a choice, indeed it is a failure to effectuate a societal obligation to do so. Geographic areas, population groups and facilities with a lack of access to conditions to be healthy and to flourish require societal care and resources.
Vulnerable populations may have a high risk for multiple health problems and/or pre-existing conditions; have limited life options (e.g., financial, educational, neighborhood, geographic location, housing, employment); face any type of discrimination (racial, ethnic, caste, gender, sexual orientation, disability, cultural, national, religious, etc.); display fear and distrust in accessing governmental and non-governmental services and programs or disclosing sensitive information; have a limited ability to understand or give informed consent and have a lowered capacity to communicate effectively; have mobility and/or cognitive impairments and have a lack of access to transportation services.
Underserved and marginalized populations include people who experience discrimination of any kind and encounter barriers (e.g., racial, ethnic, gender, sexual orientation, economic, cultural, and/or linguistic) to accessing public health and health care goods and services. They thus receive fewer and lower quality health care and public health goods and services; have a lack of familiarity with the health care delivery system; face a shortage of readily available providers and lack access to quality systems of care.
