1
Analyzing Healthcare Issues
Capella University
NURS-FPX4000: Developing a Nursing Perspective
2
Health Disparities in Vulnerable Patients
Health literacy is the ability to equip patients with knowledge, ability to understand, evaluate
and act on health information (Bhattad & Pacificao, 2022). Health literacy is important because it
gives the patient the power to make informed decisions about the care received, cuts healthcare
related costs and minimizes complications.
Causes of health illiteracy in vulnerable populations could be due to lack of access to
information, health literature full of jargon, age, cognitive ability, socioeconomic status and
education level (Elliott et al., 2023). Patients who fall under this category often have missed
appointments, medication non-compliance, increased emergency room visits, hospitalizations
and adherence to medical advice.
Analyzing Health Literacy deficits in Vulnerable Population
Health literacy refers to a person’s ability to obtain, process and understand basic health
information to make healthcare decisions. In vulnerable populations, individuals with low
, incomes, the elderly, those with challenging geographical locations and minority populations,
often face challenges like understanding medical information, limited access to healthcare and
trouble managing chronic conditions. These patients often suffer from lack of education, non-
English speaking, age related cognitive decline and limited access to healthcare (Chang et al.,
2023).
This topic is important to me because it directly affects patient outcomes and hospital
recurrence. If a patient doesn’t understand their health information, then they are likely to
experience multiple hospitalization, complications and medication mismanagement. It is
important to recognize patients that fall into this category so steps to education are taken.
Analyzing Healthcare Issues
Capella University
NURS-FPX4000: Developing a Nursing Perspective
2
Health Disparities in Vulnerable Patients
Health literacy is the ability to equip patients with knowledge, ability to understand, evaluate
and act on health information (Bhattad & Pacificao, 2022). Health literacy is important because it
gives the patient the power to make informed decisions about the care received, cuts healthcare
related costs and minimizes complications.
Causes of health illiteracy in vulnerable populations could be due to lack of access to
information, health literature full of jargon, age, cognitive ability, socioeconomic status and
education level (Elliott et al., 2023). Patients who fall under this category often have missed
appointments, medication non-compliance, increased emergency room visits, hospitalizations
and adherence to medical advice.
Analyzing Health Literacy deficits in Vulnerable Population
Health literacy refers to a person’s ability to obtain, process and understand basic health
information to make healthcare decisions. In vulnerable populations, individuals with low
, incomes, the elderly, those with challenging geographical locations and minority populations,
often face challenges like understanding medical information, limited access to healthcare and
trouble managing chronic conditions. These patients often suffer from lack of education, non-
English speaking, age related cognitive decline and limited access to healthcare (Chang et al.,
2023).
This topic is important to me because it directly affects patient outcomes and hospital
recurrence. If a patient doesn’t understand their health information, then they are likely to
experience multiple hospitalization, complications and medication mismanagement. It is
important to recognize patients that fall into this category so steps to education are taken.
