Utsatte

Utsatte is a Norwegian term used to describe people or groups who are exposed to risk or adverse conditions. It originates from the verb å utsette, meaning to expose or subject to something. In normal usage the adjective utsatt describes someone who is exposed or vulnerable, as in en utsatt gruppe (an exposed or vulnerable group). The form utsatte is the finite past tense of the verb and also appears in phrases such as de utsatte seg for risiko (they subjected themselves to risk).

In public health, social policy, and disaster risk management, utsatte is commonly used to refer to populations with elevated vulnerability due to factors such as poverty, illness, age, disability, migration status, or discrimination. The term is often paired with gruppe to form utsatte grupper, or with samfunnsvariabler like økonomisk status or helsetilstand to indicate risk profiles.

Notes about usage:

- The preferred adjective form in most contexts is utsatt; utsatte is mainly a verbal form or can be used as a shorthand noun phrase when clear from context.

- The concept aligns with English vulnerability or at-risk populations, but Norwegian usage emphasizes social determinants and exposure to hazards.

See also: vulnerability, at-risk populations, social determinants of health, exposure assessment.

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