Infectious Disease Preparedness for Homeless Populations: Recommendations from a Community-Academic Partnership

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Infectious Disease Epidemiology
• Health Disparities

Background:

• Homeless populations face heightened infectious disease risks due to congregate living, healthcare access barriers, and chronic health conditions.
• Multisectoral partnerships are essential for addressing the complex health needs of individuals experiencing homelessness.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide recommendations for infectious disease preparedness and risk mitigation for homeless populations.
• To leverage lessons learned from community-based participatory research and recent public health crises (COVID-19, Monkeypox).

Main Methods:

• Community-based participatory research (CBPR) with homeless communities.
• Multisectoral collaboration involving community members, academic institutions, and service agencies.
• Analysis of lessons learned during COVID-19 and Monkeypox response efforts.

Main Results:

• Effective infectious disease preparedness requires robust local partnerships.
• Ongoing training and support for shelter staff and volunteers are crucial.
• Tailored outreach, education, and communication strategies are necessary for engaging people experiencing homelessness.

Conclusions:

• Community-academic partnerships are critical for successful infectious disease preparedness in homeless populations.
• Lessons from CBPR can enhance future outbreak and pandemic responses for vulnerable communities.
• Standardized public health policies and consistent communication are key to effective interventions.