Cardiovascular Disease and Homelessness

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Cardiology
• Health Disparities

Background:

• Homeless adults experience disproportionately high mortality from cardiovascular disease (CVD).
• This disparity is linked to prevalent traditional CVD risk factors (hypertension, diabetes, smoking) and significant psychosocial burdens (stress, depression, substance use).
• Barriers in healthcare access, diagnostic testing, and treatment adherence further complicate CVD management in this population.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify and address the multifaceted challenges contributing to adverse cardiovascular disease outcomes among homeless adults.
• To propose practical, patient-centered strategies for mitigating CVD risk and improving management in this population.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on CVD risk factors and healthcare barriers in homeless populations.
• Analysis of traditional and nontraditional risk factors contributing to CVD disparities.
• Synthesis of patient-centered strategies for improving CVD care access and adherence.

Main Results:

• Homeless individuals exhibit a higher prevalence of traditional CVD risk factors and a significant burden of psychosocial risk factors.
• Healthcare access, diagnostic delays, and challenges with medication adherence impede effective CVD management.
• Conventional risk estimation methods may underestimate CVD risk in this population due to unaddressed psychosocial factors.

Conclusions:

• Addressing the complex interplay of biomedical, psychosocial, and systemic factors is essential for improving cardiovascular health in homeless adults.
• Multidisciplinary collaboration and partnerships with specialized homeless healthcare programs are critical for developing effective interventions.
• Implementing patient-centered strategies can help overcome barriers to care and improve CVD outcomes for homeless individuals.