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At-risk individuals are people with access and functional needs (temporary or permanent) that may interfere with their ability to access or receive medical care before, during, or after a disaster or public health emergency.
Examples of at-risk populations may include but are not limited to children, pregnant women, older adults, people with disabilities, people from diverse cultures, people with limited English proficiency, people with limited access to transportation, people with limited access to financial resources, people experiencing homelessness, people who have chronic health conditions, and people who have pharmacological dependency.
During a disaster or emergency, public health and medical professionals need to take action to protect the health of at-risk individuals. In addition, public health professionals and medical providers are often required by law or executive order to address the needs of at-risk individuals during disasters and emergencies.
