Vulnerable groups

Health managers and policy-makers need to understand which groups are particularly at risk of falling ill or are unable to recover from ill-health, particularly due to problems in accessing health care.

The definition of vulnerable groups varies between countries, but amongst the most important defining characteristics are age, sex, ethnicity and location. But also important are people with disabilities and stigmatised illnesses, such as mental ill-health. In areas facing war or civil conflicts displaced people and refugees form an important vulnerable group. This section presents some ways that vulnerable groups are defined and how health systems have been adapted to meet their needs.