5.4 Assignment At-Risk Populations Paper

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1 5.4 Assignment: At-Risk Populations Paper Margaret M. Badgerow Indiana Wesleyan University SKW-170-10D: Introduction to Social Work Dr. Morrison August 21, 2023
2 The United States has many at risk and vulnerable populations. " The definition used in the National Response Framework (NRF) is as follows; Populations whose members may have additional needs before, during, and after an incident in functional areas , including but not limited to: maintaining independence, communication, transportation, supervision, and medical care" [ CITATION Def22 \l 1033 ] . With an increase of immigrants, the United States has seen an increase in a population of limited English proficient individuals. These individuals have and continue to face many person-in-environmental factors impacting their life experiences. The dominant culture surrounding this population has oppressed, marginalized, and alienated these individuals. Limited English proficiency is a term used in the United States that describes a person who does not speak English fluently. English is the most commonly spoke language in the United States. There are more than 350 spoken and signed languages used in the United Sates. [ CITATION Off23 \l 1033 ] . T he U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey of 2015 reported that there was more than 25 million people had limited English Proficiency; this accounts for about 9% of the U.S. population who are five years of age or older. [ CITATION Ind21 \l 1033 ] In the United States nearly 1 out of every 10 working adults has limited English proficiency. Of the approximate 25 million individuals with limited English proficiency approximately 19.2 million are age 16 to 65, approximately 2.25 million are ages 5 to 15, and approximately 3.55 million are ages 65 or older. [ CITATION Fre14 \l 1033 ] " LEP workers are not all the same. Sixty percent are high school graduates, including 15 percent with a college degree. However, among full-time, year-round workers, LEP workers have lower earnings at every level of educational
3 attainment. The median earnings of English proficient workers are 39 percent higher than LEP workers overall, and 30 percent higher among those with bachelor's degrees" [ CITATION Fre14 \l 1033 ] . Individuals who have a low or limited proficiency in English face many struggles. The struggles can range from obtaining proper education, proper medical care, receiving communications about emergencies and being discriminated against because they do not speak English. Children that come from limited English proficient homes struggle to learn and are delayed compared to their English proficient peers. This can ultimately lead to higher rates of poverty as these children enter the workforce. Teachers have difficulty communicating with parents about their children. Individuals who have limited English proficiency are at great risk for serious health issues. " Effective communication is essential to providing high quality care to patients and their families. Low health literacy and Limited English Proficiency (LEP) can significantly impact communication and are associated with inappropriate testing, missed diagnosis, increased use of emergency services and poor patient adherence to recommended care" [ CITATION Add21 \l 1033 ]. Medical providers can help by using universal symbols instead of words, speaking slowly, helping in filling out forms, and using non-medical terminology. "Practices who received federal funding (eg. Medicaid) are subject to the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Failure to provide appropriate interpretation services can be considered discrimination. You may not refuse patients with LEP to avoid providing appropriate accommodations" [ CITATION Add21 \l 1033 ]. There is a direct link between limited English proficient individuals and psychological distress and cultural distance.
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