- Health Disparities Among Aging Adults Describe the identified health risk(s) or disparity the population is at risk of experiencing.,
- Explain how the Concept Map portrays the relationships between each element presented.,
- Provide an in-text citation from one scholarly source to support your writing.
Health Risks and Concept Map Relationships
Identified Health Risks and Disparities
Low-income older adults face multiple health risks, including chronic diseases, mental health challenges, and malnutrition. Financial instability, limited healthcare access, and food insecurity contribute to a higher prevalence of diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and arthritis. Many in this population experience delayed or inadequate medical care, leading to late-stage diagnoses and preventable complications. Additionally, social isolation and financial stress increase the risk of depression, anxiety, and cognitive decline, which further impact overall health. Malnutrition, caused by food insecurity and lack of access to healthy foods, weakens the immune system, increases frailty, and contributes to higher hospitalization rates (National Council on Aging, 2022).
Concept Map Relationships
The concept map visually represents how financial insecurity, healthcare limitations, and food insecurity are interconnected and contribute to poor health outcomes. It illustrates the direct pathways between each risk factor and specific health disparities:
- Financial insecurity limits healthcare access and nutritious food options, increasing the risk of chronic diseases and malnutrition.
- Limited healthcare access leads to delayed diagnoses, unmanaged chronic conditions, and higher mortality rates.
- Food insecurity worsens nutritional deficiencies, which weakens the immune system and increases the likelihood of hospitalization and poor disease management.
- Social isolation and mental health challenges further exacerbate chronic illnesses, as depression and cognitive decline often lead to decreased self-care and medication adherence.
By highlighting these connections, the concept map demonstrates how multiple social determinants of health interact to create systemic disparities in aging populations. Addressing these challenges requires integrated solutions, including policy changes, community programs, and improved healthcare access to reduce these disparities and improve health outcomes.
Reference
National Council on Aging. (2022). Poverty and aging: Addressing economic insecurity among older adults. Retrieved from www.ncoa.org APA