health promotion and clinical prevention | health promotion and clinical prevention | Georgia Baptist College of Nursing of Mercer University
This analysis focuses on elderly people living in poverty. When analysing relevant data pertaining to this group, there are several important considerations that can be made. These include demographics, socioeconomic variables, environmental hazards, and healthcare access.
The vast majority of older poor women are over 65 and have little or no income. They also have disproportionately high poverty rates and are made up of large numbers of Hispanics and African-Americans.
This population is affected by socioeconomic factors that impact mortality and morbidity. These include poor access to healthy food, insecure housing which can lead to an increase in illness or risk to the health of others as well as inadequate care because of a lack of financial or insurance resources.
These people may be more at risk from environmental hazards than they are to physical risks. Access to health care services can be limited, resulting in low usage even for those who are seeking treatment.
There are four common factors that increase the risk of mortality or morbidity in elderly poverty: falls; malnutrition; hypertension and falls.
This could help promote healthier living for the population.