Homelessness: care, prevention, and public policy

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Health Disparities
• Social Determinants of Health

Background:

• Homelessness is a growing public health crisis affecting men, women, and children.
• Homeless populations are highly vulnerable to preventable diseases, morbidity, and premature mortality.
• Poverty and homelessness are closely interconnected, with specific subgroups at higher risk.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the challenges in providing primary care to homeless populations.
• To emphasize the need for targeted care strategies and innovative primary care approaches.
• To underscore the importance of policy changes and social responsibility in addressing homelessness and health.

Main Methods:

• This study is a review and synthesis of existing literature on homelessness and healthcare access.
• It analyzes the barriers to primary care for homeless individuals.
• It discusses the role of health professionals and systems in policy advocacy and service provision.

Main Results:

• Providing effective primary care for homeless persons is challenging due to numerous internal and external barriers.
• Targeted care strategies and new primary care models are necessary to overcome these barriers.
• Disease prevention for the homeless is contingent upon effective homelessness prevention programs and policies.

Conclusions:

• Health professionals and academic health systems must acknowledge their social responsibility.
• There is a critical need to advocate for policy changes that combat homelessness.
• Developing and delivering primary health care services for the homeless and those at risk is imperative.