Vulnerable Populations During the COVID-19 Pandemic

ABSTRACT

The coronavirus 2019 pandemic has affected people worldwide. The social determinants of health can disproportionately affect the outcomes of vulnerable populations, which include the elderly, racial or ethnic minorities, children and adolescents, as well as those with comorbid medical conditions. These populations may require additional resources and consideration in treatment of their mental health given the struggles they may face secondary to decreased resources, health care access, increased mortality and morbidity, lifestyle disturbances at crucial developmental times, and a host of other factors contributing to an increased vulnerability to the effects of the virus. This article provides background on those factors and reviews interventions to consider for treating these populations. [Psychiatr Ann. 2020;50(12)531–535.]