Vulnerable Populations
Vulnerability is hard to grasp concept. On October 19, 2005 all UN member states adopted a Universal Declaration on Bioethics and Human Rights (UNESCO, 2005). The declaration represented a first attempt to develop a global normative framework for bioethics. The declaration defined vulnerable individuals and groups proclaimed “human vulnerability” as a basic principle of bioethics, and stated that vulnerable individuals and groups must receive adequate protection in the development and application of medical, scientific, and technological knowledge.
Vulnerability is hard to grasp concept. On October 19, 2005, all UN member states adopted a Universal Declaration on Bioethics and Human Rights (UNESCO, 2005). The declaration represented a first attempt to develop a global normative framework for bioethics. The declaration defined vulnerable individuals and groups proclaimed “human vulnerability” as a basic principle of bioethics, and stated that vulnerable individuals and groups must receive adequate protection in the development and application of medical, scientific, and technological knowledge. There are many circumstances that make the individuals or groups vulnerable, but the main ones are considered to be the disease, disability, other personal conditions, environmental conditions, and limited resources.
COVID-19 pandemic is exacerbating existing vulnerabilities. Many of the vulnerable people have also been most affected by job losses and the resulting income loss. The loss of jobs and income is likely to result in the reduced ability to access healthcare and a nutritious diet. This, in turn, will negatively impact people’s health. Vulnerable groups have also a hard time coping with social distancing and using the other protective measures to prevent them from the virus, making them more likely to get sick.
While many of the hackathon ideas we are looking for could contribute to making the lives better for everyone, under this track, we invite you to come up with the ideas that could make a difference in the lives of the most vulnerable.
We are looking for ideas that could bring a positive impact in the lives of:
- Children – children affected by AIDS, orphans, children affected by the violence and exploitation, street children.
- Pregnant women – more than ⅔ of the world’s maternal deaths happen in sub-Saharan Africa. The leading cause of maternal deaths is inadequate access to quality care during pregnancy or delivery or after birth.
- Elderly people – diseases, poverty, age, and gender discrimination for elderly women.
- Those with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) – those with other chronic health conditions.
- Refugees – digital ID for refugees, refugees access to mobile services in creative ways, mobile financial services at refugee camps, and mobile-enabled services that work on low data or without data.
- Economically disadvantaged groups – People suffering under poverty: poor housing, homelessness, malnourishment.
