Vulnerable Populations | National Center for Disaster Preparedness (2024)

FAQs

Who are the vulnerable people in disaster preparedness? ›

The old and the young are particularly vulnerable during emergencies. Older adults are more likely to have medical problems that put them at an increased risk during a disaster. They might have chronic health problems or limited mobility. They might have limited sight, hearing, or cognitive ability.

One measure of the strength of a community's response and recovery system is its attentiveness to its most vulnerable citizens–children, the frail elderly, the disabled, and the impoverished and disenfranchised. It is a cruel fact: disasters discriminate.

Vulnerability is the human dimension of disasters and is the result of the range of economic, social, cultural, institutional, political and psychological factors that shape people's lives and the environment that they live in.

These groups may include people who are socioeconomically disadvantaged; people with limited English proficiency; geographically isolated or educationally disenfranchised people; people of color as well as those of ethnic and national origin minorities; women and children; individuals with disabilities and others with ...

A number of factors make people vulnerable where they may not be able to protect themselves against significant harm or from being taken advantage of. This may include young or elderly people, those with mental health issues, physical disabilities, learning disabilities or gender.

TYPES OF VULNERABILITY

Karis(2016) said physical, economic, social and attitudinal vulnerability are used to describe how communities are at-risk for disaster.

These groups extend beyond traditional categories and may involve patients who belong to racial or ethnic minorities, children, the elderly, those facing socioeconomic disadvantages, individuals with inadequate insurance coverage or those managing specific medical conditions.

Earthquakes are one of the most unpredictable and damaging disasters. The scientific community has yet to find a way to predict when an earthquake will occur with enough time to evacuate areas. Systems exist, but they can only give a few minutes warning to residents that a disaster is on its way.

What do disaster victims need most? ›

A key to recovery from disasters or mass violence is feeling that you have the resources to help you rebuild your life. At the most basic, that means information, food, safety, medical care, and shelter. Other important resources are family, community, school or work, and friends.

children are the worst sufferers as they are doubly hit. Firstly, at the time of disaster, due to inability to escape or fend for themselves especially for very young children at high risk of injury. Secondly, post disaster due to separation or loss of their families and their homes.

Vulnerable populations include patients who are racial or ethnic minorities, children, elderly, socioeconomically disadvantaged, underinsured or those with certain medical conditions. Members of vulnerable populations often have health conditions that are exacerbated by unnecessarily inadequate healthcare.

These include individuals who experience greater risk factors for poor health outcomes due to their racial or ethnic status or sexual preferences . Also vulnerable are children, the elderly, the socioeconomically disadvantaged, underinsured individuals, or those with certain medical conditions.

Weak infrastructure, such as buildings, sanitation, electricity supply, roads and transportation. Occupation in a risky area (insecure/ risk-prone sources of livelihood) Degradation of the environment and inability to protect it.

Age. Children and the elderly tend to be more vulnerable. They have less physical strength to survive disasters and are often more susceptible to certain diseases. The elderly often also have declining vision and hearing.

Vulnerable populations include patients who are racial or ethnic minorities, children, elderly, socioeconomically disadvantaged, underinsured or those with certain medical conditions. Members of vulnerable populations often have health conditions that are exacerbated by unnecessarily inadequate healthcare.

Survivalism is a social movement of individuals or groups (called survivalists, doomsday preppers or preppers) who proactively prepare for emergencies, such as natural disasters, and other disasters causing disruption to social order (that is, civil disorder) caused by political or economic crises.