The health needs of a population vary alongside various continuums. Typically, the health needs of a populace vary on the basis of age, social life as well as economic activities. In a bid to debunk the public wellness standards, this paper analyzes the health needs of school-aged children, chemically dependent adolescents, and senior citizens.
School going children are a vulnerable group health-wise because of the crowding and frequent interactions with peers. As a result, communicable childhood diseases are a common problem among school-going children. The possibility of interacting with non-immunized children further heightens the risk of developing a broad array of communicable ailments. In this regard, measles, whooping cough, bronchitis, and ear infections are common and easily transmitted infection among members of this vulnerable group. Health needs for the aforementioned vulnerable population necessitate close monitoring to ensure all children are immunized and health education to minimize stigma on the infected (Larson, 2016). Emotional support for the students as they recover and improvement of health amenities in the school are necessary interventions that must be considered.
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Chemically dependent adolescents have unique needs stemming from the intoxicating effects of substances and the irrationality of decisions one is likely to make. As a result, adolescents are at a higher risk of contracting infections especially sexually transmitted diseases and blood-related infections like hepatitis, if they develop chemical dependence. Moreover, chemically dependent individuals are likely to cause accidents when they drive under the influence of drugs. Also, chemical substances have a far-reaching implication on the abuser’s hepatic systems and renal systems. Critical needs include counseling, provision of contraceptive services to minimize risks, and rehabilitative and correctional services.
Senior citizens have a myriad of health needs that are synonymous with old age. The elderly are vulnerable to chronic diseases and are usually on multiple medications. They are also a lonely group with reduced mobility; thus, needing physical assistance. In a bid to reduce the propensity of the elderly population to medical ill-health, health education on multiple comorbidities and medications is necessary. The population also requires talk therapies and counseling to minimize the effects of boredom that results from non-engagement from work and absence of close family members (Iqra Rehman, 2016). Notably, most senior citizens begin experiencing failing organs; therefore, multiple clinic visits and checkups are necessary.
References
Iqra Rehman, A. M. (2016). SOCIAL ISSUES OF SENIOR CITIZENS. Quaid-i-Azam University- Researchgate.
Larson, S. A. (2016). School-based Health Centers: A Model of Care to Meet the Behavioral and Mental Health Needs of Children and Adolescents. University Of California San Franscisco .
