Vulnerable Populations

The vulnerable populations are considered medically underserved/disadvantaged because they face greater challenges in accessing timely and needed health care. They are composed not only of the homeless and the poor, but also the elderly/ young, disabled, mentally challenged, etc. It is extremely unfair to say that their health problems are deserved because their vulnerability is largely due to uncontrollable factors like unequal social, economic, health, and geographic conditions. Vulnerability comes from the effects of multiple uncontrollable factors (often pre-disposing) rather than personal deficiency.
The vulnerable are a significant part of our population as a whole, too significant to simply ignore. Although there are still many that are underserved, programs like Medicare, Medicaid, EMTALA, and other regulations recognize their vulnerability. And we should have enough social justice, empathy, and compassion to provide at least basic care to those in need.