Streetside support

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Community Medicine
• Healthcare Management

Background:

• Initial volunteer efforts by hospital employees to serve meals to the homeless revealed a need for basic healthcare services.
• This realization spurred the development of a dedicated healthcare initiative for the homeless population.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the evolution of a hospital-based initiative into a comprehensive community health program for the homeless.
• To highlight the expansion of services and impact on healthcare accessibility for the homeless population.

Main Methods:

• Initiated as a volunteer effort providing meals, transitioning to basic healthcare services.
• Developed into the Mercy Mobile Health Project, a hospital-based program.
• Expanded through community involvement and partnerships into the Atlanta Community Health Program for the Homeless.

Main Results:

• The program experienced significant growth, more than doubling the number of clinic sites.
• Patient encounters quadrupled, indicating a substantial increase in service utilization.
• Sponsorship by Saint Joseph's Mercy Care Corporation, with involvement from various public and private agencies.

Conclusions:

• The Atlanta Community Health Program for the Homeless demonstrates a successful model for addressing the healthcare needs of the homeless.
• Community involvement and multi-agency collaboration are crucial for expanding services and breaking the cycle of homelessness.
• The program provides essential, continuing healthcare services to a vulnerable population.