conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, kidney disease, heart disease, and cancer that individuals live with for a year or more and that require ongoing medical attention, limit the activities of daily living, or both
demographics
statistical data relating to particular groups within a population
electronic health record (EHR)
electronic version of a client’s medical history that is maintained by the provider over time and may include all key administrative clinical data relevant to that person’s care under a particular provider (e.g., demographics, progress notes, problems, medications, vital signs, past medical history, immunizations, laboratory data, and radiology reports)
electronic medical record (EMR)
software that performs specific clinical functions, such as checking for drug interactions and allergies, and handles documentation of client encounters (i.e., the interaction between the client and the health care provider)
ethnic minorities
population groups with a shared culture, tradition, religion, language, history, or other factor who live in communities or areas where most people are from a different ethnic group
health care consumer
recipient of health services, whether those services are paid for or provided at no cost
health disparities
preventable differences in the burden of disease, injury, violence, or opportunities to achieve optimal health that are experienced by socially disadvantaged populations
health equity
state in which everyone has a fair and just opportunity to attain their highest level of health
home monitoring
use of devices such as digitized scales, blood pressure monitoring devices, and glucometers (blood glucose monitor) that are linked to the EHR or EMR in the physician’s office
mental health
emotional, psychological, and social well-being; affects how an individual thinks, feels, acts, handles stress, relates to others, and makes choices
quality of health care
degree to which health care services for individuals and populations increase the likelihood of desired health outcomes and are consistent with current professional knowledge
stigma
shaming attached to an individual’s circumstance, background, personal traits, or associations that can lead to discrimination; often the result of ignorance or fear
telehealth
use of digital information and communication technologies to access health care services remotely and manage health care
underrepresented populations
subgroups within a population—often identified by race, ethnicity, age, sex, gender, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic status—whose representation in society is disproportionately low relative to their numbers
vulnerable populations
groups and communities at a higher risk for poor health as a result of the barriers they experience to social, economic, political, and environmental resources, as well as limitations due to illness or disability