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Health problems of sheltered homeless children using mobile health services
Insights
Mobile health vans provide essential care for homeless children, addressing significant health issues in this vulnerable population. This study highlights the need for accessible healthcare services for families experiencing homelessness.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Public Health
- Mobile Health Services
Background:
- Homeless families and children represent a growing demographic challenge in the U.S.
- Children constitute 34% of the total homeless population, underscoring a critical public health concern.
- Sheltered homeless children often face unique health care challenges and barriers to access.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the demographic characteristics of sheltered homeless children utilizing mobile health van services.
- To identify the primary health care problems, diagnoses, and treatments for this population.
- To analyze patterns of service utilization, medication prescriptions, and referrals.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of medical records from 175 sheltered homeless children.
- Data collected over a 1-year period from a mobile health van in a midwestern metropolitan area.
- Analysis of patient demographics, reasons for seeking care, diagnoses, treatments, and referrals.
Main Results:
- The study population comprised 48% females and 52% males, with the majority under 6 years of age.
- Common health care needs and primary diagnoses were identified and are presented.
- Patterns of mobile health van utilization, prescribed medications, and referral practices were detailed.
Conclusions:
- Mobile health vans can deliver efficient, quality healthcare to sheltered homeless children.
- Understanding the health needs and service utilization patterns is crucial for optimizing mobile health interventions.
- Recommendations are provided for enhancing mobile van services for homeless children and families.
Abstract:
Homeless families are an increasing problem in the United States, with children representing 34% of the total homeless population. This retrospective study describes the demographic characteristics and health care problems and concerns of sheltered homeless children who used the services of a mobile health van over a 1-year period in a midwestern metropolitan area. The patterns of utilization, medications prescribed, and referrals are also described. Medical records of 175 sheltered homeless children who sought care from a mobile health van were reviewed. Forty-eight percent of the children were female; 52% were male. The majority were under 6 years of age (15% infants, 22% toddlers, 22% preschoolers, 23% school-age children, and 18% adolescents). The major reasons for seeking health care, the primary diagnoses, and treatments are presented. Recommendations for using a mobile van to provide efficient, quality health care for this population are discussed.