Transformation for health: a framework for conceptualizing health behaviors in vulnerable populations

Nurs Clin North Am. 2008 Sep;43(3):381-95, viii-ix. doi: 10.1016/j.cnur.2008.04.004.

Abstract

Shedding light on the factors and circumstances that operate to bring about marginalization of groups can facilitate appropriate responses to the issue of health disparities among vulnerable groups in society. This is showing to be a seemingly intractable problem; however, it may well be that the approaches currently used to respond to the issues are not appropriate because we overlook the "realties" that really matter: those emanating from the people being visited by these circumstances themselves. Under normal conditions, human behavior can only be controlled by the individual. Facilitating an environment in which an individual can comprehend his or her internal and external realities is the first step toward transformative behavior.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Attitude to Health / ethnology
  • Community Participation
  • Consciousness
  • Cultural Diversity
  • Decision Making
  • Educational Status
  • Health Behavior* / ethnology
  • Health Education / organization & administration
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
  • Health Promotion / organization & administration*
  • Health Services Needs and Demand
  • Health Status Disparities
  • Healthcare Disparities
  • Humans
  • Intention
  • Models, Educational
  • Models, Psychological*
  • Poverty
  • Risk Factors
  • Risk-Taking
  • Social Support
  • United States
  • Vulnerable Populations / ethnology
  • Vulnerable Populations / psychology*
  • Vulnerable Populations / statistics & numerical data