Vulnerables

Vulnerables is a term used to describe individuals or groups that are at greater risk of harm, exclusion, or adverse outcomes due to a combination of exposure to hazards and limited capacity to cope. In social science and policy, vulnerability is understood as context-dependent and dynamic rather than a permanent label, varying with circumstances, environments, and resources available to people.

Commonly identified vulnerable populations include children, older adults, people with disabilities, racial or ethnic minorities, migrants and refugees, Indigenous peoples, individuals living in poverty or housing insecurity, survivors of gender-based violence, and those with chronic illnesses or mental health conditions. Vulnerability can arise from discrimination, legal status, language barriers, geographic isolation, or weak social networks, and it often intersects across multiple identities and factors.

Impacts of vulnerability include poorer health outcomes, reduced access to education and employment, higher risk of displacement, exposure to exploitation, and limited participation in decision-making. In emergencies, disasters, and public health crises, vulnerability shapes who is hardest hit and who experiences slower recovery, making targeted support essential.

Policy and practice aim to reduce vulnerability through inclusive governance, equitable access to services, universal design and accommodations, targeted protections, and safeguards for privacy and consent. Data collection and risk assessments should be rights-based and participatory to avoid stigmatization and to empower communities rather than label them.

Measurement approaches such as vulnerability indices or risk assessments identify at-risk groups to guide interventions, but critiques emphasize that labeling populations as vulnerable can be disempowering. Effective responses balance protection with empowerment and respect for agency.