Medical Care of Vulnerable and Underserved Populations

After years of documenting disparities in health and health care based on race, ethnicity, gender, education, and socioeconomic status, many in the healthcare community have shifted our focus to pursuing health equity or striving for the highest possible standard of health for all people, while giving special attention to the needs of those at risk of poor health due to social conditions. With publicly insured and uninsured patients making up about half of all outpatient visits in the US, and millions of previously uninsured patients increasing their access to health care through Medicaid expansions, becoming an expert in caring for the complicated medical and social needs of vulnerable and underserved patients is crucial to every healthcare provider.

World-class experts and front-line practitioners from the Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and the UCSF Center for Vulnerable Populations will present contemporary approaches to optimize care for the common conditions that affect vulnerable populations, mitigate the unique challenges faced by these populations and enhance the profound joy clinicians can experience when engaging with patients in greatest need. Topics to be covered will include updates in a broad range of diseases that disproportionately affect vulnerable patients, such as HIV, diabetes, heart failure, asthma, depression, PTSD, obesity, hepatitis and substance use disorders. We also discuss how clinicians can address social factors that complicate the management of medical illness, such as homelessness, school suspension, limited health literacy, food insecurity, and a history of trauma or of incarceration etc. Each day we will feature a nationally renowned figure who, through narrative approaches, will deliver pearls and impart wisdom and inspiration with respect to how to stay engaged, connected and well-grounded in this work.