At Risk in America

At the same time that homelessness, AIDS, drug addiction, and other social problems continue to increase throughout the United States, the country's health care system is facing a deepening financial crisis. While these trAnds affect everyone, many groups are confronting disproportionate risks of poor healthand of receiving inadequate medical care. Who are these groups? What do they have in common? And what can be done to improve their opportunities and their health care?Lu Ann Aday has undertaken extensive research on vulnerable populations, and in this book she provides a comprehensive reference on the characteristics and needs of many at-risk groups in America today--including the homeless, refugees and immigrants, people with AIDS, alcohol and substance abusers, high-risk mothers and infants, victims of domestic or other violence, and the chronically or mentally ill. Aday offers a systematic and cross-cutting overview of the issues that affect all these groups, and she discusses the steps necessary to achieve a more community--oriented health policy that can be effective in decreasing vulnerability. Looking at all groups who are high risk--whether due to physical, mental, or socioeconomic needs--Aday provides a framework for identifying and studying vulnerable populations* data on their needs and on the trAnds occurring in these populations* an analysis of the issues regarding access to cost, and quality of care* a review of policies and programs developed to address their needs, and* a discussion of research and policy initiatives that could be undertaken to reduce their vulnerability.