Health Care for the Homeless: a Family Medicine Perspective
Description:
Homelessness in America is a problem that is not going to disappear overnight. As family physicians, we will be responsible for providing health care to the homeless in many settings - in emergency rooms, public hospitals, community and free clinics and, occasionally, even health maintenance organizations and private practices. Providing care to the homeless is difficult, and intellectually and emotionally challenging.
The homeless comprise a diverse group of individuals and families living in many different settings. Being homeless does not necessarily mean that a person is without a bed to sleep in. People who are homeless may live in emergency shelters or single-room-occupancy hotels or with family or friends.
Homeless persons also live in garages and abandoned buildings, under freeway overpasses, in bus terminals and airports, and in cars, vans or buses. Families living in transitional housing are one step removed from the ranks of the homeless but technically are often considered homeless.
The factors that may lead to homelessness have a tremendous effect on both the health of homeless persons and the Provision of health care to them. Sometimes health problems such as drug abuse and chronic mental illness precipitate homelessness.[1] A battered woman escaping from an abusive husband may end up living on the streets. Unemployment, with its attendant loss of benefits, and eviction from housing also affect a person's access to medical care.
In addressing the prevention and treatment of health problems of the homeless, it is helpful to view the situation from two perspectives. First in this article, we consider the factors that decrease a person's ability to resist illness or the complications of disease. Second, we consider the main health consequences of these identified factors and discuss essential points for those providing health care to homeless persons.
Type of Resource:
Journal
Publication Date:
1994
Location:
Kansas city