Respond to the following:

The homeless minority in Los Angeles is the vulnerable population I have chosen for this discussion. The number of homeless individuals in Los Angeles has been risen to 4.1% percent from 2020, with an estimated of 69,144 persons living on the street corners or in shelters, as reported by the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (2022). Homelessness is seen as a vulnerable demographic due to the numerous health and social problems that homeless persons experience, such as poor medical care, unstable housing, and drug misuse.

Relying on substance abuse to cope with distress and trauma is one of the health behaviors and attitudes of homeless persons that increases their susceptibility. As a result of their frequent exposure to stressful experiences, including brutality, humiliation, and despair, homeless persons are more likely to acquire mental health illnesses. Homeless persons frequently turn to substance misuse to deal with their mental health challenges, which can result in issues with their psychological and physical well-being.

In my advanced nursing position, I might fight for homeless individuals by supporting laws that deal with their leading causes, such as the lack of affordable housing, access to mental health care, and drug usage (Ann Christopher et al., 2015). I may also try to make it easier for homeless persons to obtain healthcare solutions like telehealth and mobile clinics. I may also try to raise awareness of the health and social difficulties that homeless people face among the general public and lobby for legislation that addresses these problems.

As a result of the numerous challenges they encounter, such as a lack of access to healthcare, housing insecurity, and drug misuse, the homeless community in Los Angeles is considered a vulnerable population. In my advanced nursing role, I could advocate for this vulnerable population by supporting measures that combat the root causes of homelessness, increase the availability of medical care, and inform the public and politicians about the medical and social challenges the homeless face.

References

Ann Christopher, M., Duhl, J., J. Rosati, R., & M. Sheehan, K. (2015). Advocacy for vulnerable patients. AJN, American Journal of Nursing, 115(3), 66¹. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.naj.0000461810.34602.58 

Lahsa releases 2022 Greater Los Angeles Homeless Count Results. LAHSA . (2022, September). Retrieved March 8, 2023, from https://www.lahsa.org/news?article=895-lahsa-releases-2022-greater-los-angeles-homeless-count-results

QUESTION:

Class

How can we as a society and nurses provide better outcomes for the homeless population. In Colorado, a %nt#ommunity was set up that included a medical team. What about setting up a )ny house#ommunity that could include jobs training and health clinics?