Commentary: The Problems of Grouping All Adversity Into a Special Populations Label

Abstract

“Special populations” refer to groups of people whose needs are not fully addressed by traditional health services delivery. Greater access to these services, or tailored services, must be provided to reduce inequities in physical and mental health-care systems. Many different groups have been identified as special populations. We comment on controversies regarding the use of the term special populations in health practice and policy. Applicable conceptual issues include intersectionality, unitization, definitional drawbacks, and looping effects. There is a need to make clear the challenges posed by use of this term (e.g., discrimination, workability). An approach that acknowledges the diversity of groups and accommodates them where necessary without discrimination and unequal treatment is needed.