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CONCEPT MAP ON THE UNDERPRIVILEGED HOMELESS IN LAS VEGAS
Typology: Exercises
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General Instructions Carefully review the Week 2 Concept Map and Summary Assignment guidelines and rubric. After completing your concept map, complete each section of the template below using complete sentences. Use of the template is required. If the required template is not used, a 10% deduction will be applied. See the rubric. o Follow APA grammar, spelling, word usage, and punctuation rules consistent with formal, scholarly writing. o Provide an in-text citation from three scholarly sources to support your writing. o No more than one short direct quote (15 words or less) may be used in this assignment. o First person should not be used within this assignment. o Abide by Chamberlain University's academic integrity policy. Submit the Concept Map and the Concept Map Summary template to the Week 2 Concept Map and Summary Assignment Dropbox HOMELESS LAS VEGAS SUBSTANCE USE/ABUSE MENTAL HEALTH ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE CHRONIC ILLNESS
Concept Map Summary : Describe the elements on the Concept Map and include the following. a. Provide a succinct description of the vulnerable population identified. The homeless population in Las Vegas faces significant health and social challenges that make them particularly vulnerable. Many individuals experience unstable housing, financial insecurity, and limited access to healthcare. This population is disproportionately burdened with multimorbidity, including chronic conditions such as cardiovascular diseases, respiratory illnesses, and mental health disorders (Vallesi et al., 2021). Additionally, the lack of stable housing exacerbates their health risks by increasing exposure to environmental hazards, infectious diseases, and the stress associated with homelessness. These factors are compounded by systemic barriers to accessing healthcare, leading to a reliance on emergency services for medical care. Addressing these challenges requires targeted and integrated healthcare interventions to improve outcomes for this vulnerable group. b. Discuss a minimum of three variables that place the population at risk. Substance Use Disorders Substance use disorders (SUDs) significantly impact the health and stability of the homeless population in Las Vegas, approximately 49% of individuals experiencing homelessness report SUDs, including alcohol, opioids, and methamphetamines. SUDs contribute to chronic conditions such as liver disease and cardiovascular complications and heighten the risk of acute events like overdoses. Furthermore, substance use can hinder access to healthcare and adherence to treatment plans, perpetuating poor health outcomes. Initiatives such as harm reduction programs, needle exchange services, and integrated substance abuse and mental health treatment are essential to addressing these challenges (Parulkar, 2023). Mental Health Burdens Mental health disorders, including depression, anxiety, and schizophrenia, are prevalent among homeless individuals in Las Vegas, with 44% of surveyed individuals reporting mental health concerns. These issues often remain untreated due to stigma, systemic barriers, and limited access to mental health services. The co-occurrence of mental health disorders and SUDs compounds these challenges, making recovery and reintegration into society more difficult. Community mental health initiatives, increased funding for accessible mental health clinics, and telehealth options can help address these barriers (Parulkar, 2023).
and emergency department use. Innovative strategies such as mobile health clinics, telehealth services, and expanded Medicaid access are essential for reducing healthcare disparities and improving overall outcomes (Siersbaek et al., 2020). d. Explain how the Concept Map portrays the relationships between each element presented. The relationships in the concept map illustrate the interconnected challenges faced by the homeless population in Las Vegas. Here's an explanation of each relationship: Homeless Population → Substance Abuse Homelessness is often both a cause and a consequence of substance abuse. Individuals experiencing homelessness may turn to substances as a coping mechanism for stress, trauma, or the harsh realities of life on the streets. Substance use could also lead to job loss, financial instability, and estranged relationships, increasing the risk of homelessness. Homeless Population → Mental Health Mental health disorders are prevalent in the homeless population, with issues like depression, PTSD, and schizophrenia often exacerbated by the instability and stress of homelessness. Lack of access to consistent mental health care and supportive environments can perpetuate the cycle of homelessness. Homeless Population → Chronic Disease Homeless individuals are at a higher risk for chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, and respiratory illnesses due to poor living conditions, limited access to nutritious food, and inconsistent medical care. Prolonged exposure to harsh weather and unsanitary environments also worsens these conditions. Homeless Population → Access to Healthcare Access to healthcare is a significant barrier for the homeless population. Financial constraints, lack of insurance, and logistical challenges like transportation prevent many from seeking medical attention. This lack of care contributes to the worsening of other issues like mental health, substance abuse, and chronic diseases. Substance Abuse ↔ Mental Health Substance abuse and mental health issues are deeply interlinked. Mental health conditions can lead individuals to self-medicate with substances, while prolonged substance use can cause or exacerbate mental health problems like anxiety and depression. Substance Abuse ↔ Chronic Disease Substance abuse increases the risk of developing chronic illnesses, such as liver disease (from alcohol abuse) or heart and lung diseases (from tobacco or drug use). Chronic illness can also lead to self-medication with substances, creating a vicious cycle. Mental Health ↔ Access to Healthcare Individuals with mental health conditions often face challenges accessing healthcare due to stigma, disorganized thinking, or lack of support. Without access to mental health services, their conditions can worsen.
Chronic Disease ↔ Access to Healthcare Homeless individuals with chronic diseases face significant barriers in managing their conditions due to inconsistent healthcare access. Regular monitoring and treatment for diseases like diabetes or hypertension are difficult without a stable home or reliable access to medical resources. e. Provide an in-text citation from one scholarly source to support your writing. Intervention Proposal: Complete the sections below. a. Identify one national population health goal or objective related to the identified risk or disparity, such as Healthy People 2030 or another national initiative. One relevant national population health goal from Healthy People 2030 is to reduce homelessness and improve the health and well-being of individuals experiencing homelessness. This goal emphasizes improving access to stable housing, and healthcare services, and addressing social determinants of health such as housing instability. By achieving this, the initiative aims to reduce health disparities among vulnerable populations, particularly in areas like mental health, chronic disease management, and substance use, which are more prevalent among the homeless. b. Propose one strategy for the advanced practice nurse to collaborate at the local, state, or national level to advocate for the health of the vulnerable population and advance the identified Healthy People 2030 goal or objective. An advanced practice nurse (APN) can work with local and state public health departments, homeless shelters, and healthcare providers to create comprehensive care models that integrate healthcare services with housing support. A key approach is implementing Housing First programs, which provide immediate access to permanent housing followed by essential services such as mental health care, substance abuse treatment, chronic disease management, and regular healthcare check-ups. These programs have been shown to reduce substance use, improve health for individuals with chronic conditions like HIV/AIDS, and decrease emergency service usage (HUD USER, 2023). Housing stability is vital for improving health outcomes for vulnerable populations, as it addresses social determinants of health. The Housing First model is effective because it addresses housing instability, a major factor contributing to health disparities. Individuals are more likely to engage with healthcare services and better manage chronic conditions by securing stable housing.
Academic and Research Institutions : Universities and research organizations that can conduct studies to evaluate the effectiveness of programs, provide evidence-based recommendations, and help with program implementation. By working with these stakeholders, the APN can help improve homeless individuals’ healthcare access and housing stability, ultimately leading to better health outcomes. d. Provide an in-text citation from two scholarly sources to support your writing.
References Bennasar-Veny, M., Yañez, A. M., & Bedmar, M. A. (2022). Health and access to healthcare in homeless people. Http://Isrctn.Com/. https://doi.org/10.1186/isrctn Garcia, C., Doran, K., & Kushel, M. (2024). Homelessness and health: Factors, evidence, innovations that work, and policy recommendations. Health Affairs , 43 (2), 164–171. https://doi.org/10.1377/hlthaff.2023. Housing First: A review of the evidence. Housing First: A Review of the Evidence | HUD USER. (2023). https://www.huduser.gov/portal/periodicals/em/spring-summer-23/highlight2.html Parulkar, A. (2023). Causes of homelessness in Las Vegas: Findings from a survey of people experiencing homelessness at a local government center that serves the unsheltered population. HELP USA. https://www.helpusa.org/causes-of-homelessness-in-las-vegas- findings-from-a-survey-of-a-people-experiencing-homelessness-at-a-local-government- center-that-serves-the-unsheltered-population/ Vallesi, S., Tuson, M., Davies, A., & Wood, L. (2021). Multimorbidity among people experiencing homelessness—insights from Primary Care Data. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health , 18 (12), 6498. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph