Final answer:
Poverty is the primary cause of vulnerability, leading to a cycle of disadvantage and health disparities. The poor are more likely to experience illness and have limited access to healthcare and education.
Step-by-step explanation:
The primary cause of vulnerability is poverty. Poverty can lead to inadequate healthcare, limited education, and inaccessibility of birth control. It perpetuates a cycle of disadvantage, as the consequences of poverty are also causes of poverty. The poor are more likely to live and work in unhealthy environments, have poor diets, and experience illness. Additionally, racial minorities and other marginalized groups bear a greater burden of poor health due to social and economic inequalities.