Help-Seeking Patterns during Weather Events: 2-1-1 Service Calls among Service-Connected Unhoused Populations in...

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Environmental Health
• Social Science

Background:

• The 2-1-1 information and referral system is crucial for connecting vulnerable populations to essential services during public health emergencies.
• Limited evidence exists on the specific needs of unhoused populations during extreme weather events and public health crises.
• Understanding these needs is vital for effective emergency response and resource allocation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the associations between temperature variations, tropical cyclones, and service utilization patterns among unhoused populations.
• To analyze help-seeking behaviors using 2-1-1 call data from southern Louisiana between 2014 and 2023.
• To identify how extreme weather impacts the demand for social services among the homeless population.

Main Methods:

• Utilized over 20,000 2-1-1 call records from southern Louisiana (2014-2023).
• Employed negative binomial regression, distributed lag non-linear modeling (DLNM), and natural language processing (NLP).
• Analyzed call data in relation to temperature variations and tropical cyclone events, including text analysis of call narratives.

Main Results:

• 2-1-1 utilization declined during and after tropical cyclone events (IRR: 0.77 and 0.86, respectively).
• Call volume increased significantly during both the coldest and warmest temperature deciles compared to moderate temperatures (IRR: 1.22 and 1.21, respectively).
• Mental health mentions in call narratives increased with temperature but decreased during cyclone periods. NLP revealed shifts in service needs based on weather conditions.

Conclusions:

• Extreme temperatures (both hot and cold) are associated with increased 2-1-1 service utilization among unhoused populations.
• Tropical cyclones and their aftermath lead to decreased utilization of 2-1-1 services, potentially indicating barriers to access or communication.
• Findings highlight the need for tailored outreach and service provision for unhoused individuals during extreme weather, considering varying needs based on event type and temperature.