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Communicable disease among people experiencing homelessness in California
C Y Liu1, S J Chai2,3, J P Watt2
1Kaiser Permanente San Francisco/University of California San Francisco Internal Medicine/Preventive Medicine Residency, San Francisco, USA.
Insights
People experiencing homelessness (PEH) in California face higher communicable disease risks due to exposure and limited healthcare access. Addressing homelessness and improving healthcare access for PEH can reduce this health disparity.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
- Health Disparities
Background:
- California has a significant population of unsheltered and chronically homeless individuals.
- People experiencing homelessness (PEH) face heightened risks for communicable diseases due to various intersecting factors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the increased burden of communicable diseases among PEH in California.
- To identify challenges faced by public health agencies serving this population.
- To propose strategies for reducing health disparities in communicable disease burden.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of available data on communicable diseases in California.
- Comparison of disease burden between PEH and the general population.
- Review of factors contributing to increased disease risk among PEH.
Main Results:
- PEH in California experience a disproportionately higher burden of several communicable diseases.
- Factors contributing to risk include increased exposures, comorbid conditions (substance use disorder, mental illness), and lack of hygiene/healthcare access.
Conclusions:
- Public health agencies face unique challenges in addressing the health needs of PEH.
- Reducing homelessness, improving healthcare access, enhancing data, and strengthening partnerships are crucial for mitigating communicable disease disparities.
Abstract:
California has a large population of people experiencing homelessness (PEH) that is characterised by a high proportion of people who are unsheltered and chronically homeless. PEH are at increased risk of communicable diseases due to multiple, intersecting factors, including increased exposures, comorbid conditions including substance use disorder and mental illness and lack of access to hygiene and healthcare facilities. Data available for several communicable diseases show that PEH in California experiences an increased burden of communicable diseases compared to people not experiencing homelessness. Public health agencies face unique challenges in serving this population. Efforts to reduce homelessness, increase access to health care for PEH, enhance data availability and strengthen partnerships among agencies serving PEH can help reduce the disparity in communicable disease burden faced by PEH.
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