Vulnerable populations.

To a large extent, a person’s health status can be determined by whether he or she belongs to one or more vulnerable populations. Because of socio-economic factors and demographic characteristics, these groups are often the most medically vulnerable in the community. This vulnerability is often correlated to geography, as vulnerable people are more likely to live in the most disadvantaged parts of the region. The following issue briefs provide data on the status, characteristics and trends of key indicators of vulnerability: