This doctor wants to prescribe a cure for homelessness

Politicians up and down the West Coast declare that solving this problem is a top priority. But NIMBYism and political dysfunction continue to block progress. Maybe a doctor in the house is just what we need to prescribe the cure.

How to Treat the Homeless: Tips from Actual Homeless People

In order to demystify the all-too-common experience of being without a roof over your head, we asked some of London's homeless people about their day-to-day lives.

Dying on the streets: As the homeless age, a health care system leaves them behind

The homeless often look much older than their years. Their living conditions, addictions, and psychiatric disorders speed them to poor health, frequently with multiple life-threatening illnesses at once.

For the Homeless, Housing Is Healthcare

Proponents of the so-called "Housing First" movement argue that taxpayer dollars would be better spent providing homeless people with a safe place to live so they can take care of themselves, instead of cartwheeling between the emergency room and the streets.

Health Care Reaches Homeless on Streets

Medical team searches for New York City homeless to deliver treatment, offer advice and make referrals to clinics.

Health Problems Compound For Aging Homeless

A growing number of the nation's homeless are reaching what's called "premature old age." Like Tony and Andrea, they're in their late 40s and 50s, but suffer from ailments more common for those in their 70s. Many will likely die over the next decade.

Homeless fall between healthcare cracks, but fresh approaches can help them

On the whole, the health needs of the homeless population are extremely complex and not adequately addressed by mainstream healthcare and access to it. Getting to a doctor, for example, might call for transport they don’t have, or there may be difficulties in getting prescriptions. And when you’re trying to survive or find shelter, these take priority over getting help for an infected wound.

Homeless Health Care: Helping People On Street Challenging, But Worthwhile For Doctors

Hwang agrees that looking after those who have fallen through the economic cracks is "always a challenge. It keeps you on your toes." Yet, despite the obvious frustrations, Hwang says it is also rewarding helping people who are so much in need.

Improving health care for the homeless

This vulnerable population comprises a human kaleidoscope of people often excluded from mainstream society: runaways, LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender) youth, those targeted by domestic violence, struggling veterans, displaced factory workers, migrant laborers, refugees, illiterate individuals, fragile elderly persons, and those discharged from mental hospitals or overcrowded prisons.

Old and on the Street: The Graying of America’s Homeless

The emergence of an older homeless population is creating daunting challenges for social service agencies and governments already struggling to fight poverty.

Solving Homelessness: The Need For Innovative Solutions And The Role Of Health Care

Homelessness affects people from many walks of life. A recent study found that one out of 25 Americans have been homeless sometime in their lives. Tales of how people became homeless and what their lives have been like since they have become homeless are often disheartening and complex.

Some health systems serve the homeless where they stay

Zabukovic is convinced the clinic-in-a-homeless center is a model that can be replicated by health systems across the country. “It fits the mission,” he said. “It's an access point that provides good quality care to a needy population.” And he notes that it helps keep healthcare spending down by reducing ED visits and hospitalizations for patients with serious chronic conditions.

The Homelessness Connection In Health Care

It’s not always easy to see, but homelessness and health care have a clear — and cyclical — relationship: poor health can lead to homelessness, and homelessness can aggravate poor health. And both can be a burden on our health care system.

This App Lets You Request Mental Health Help For A Homeless Person In Distress

Calling the police on a homeless person can be damaging or even deadly, a new app aims to quickly get them less confrontational assistance.

Using Housing to Improve Health and Reduce the Costs of Caring for the Homeless

Supportive housing programs that offer shelter to the homeless and a variety of medical and social services have had a dramatic impact on health outcomes and costs in communities that have implemented them.

As homelessness grows, its stark impact on health is becoming clearer across Europe

The main problem detected is that most homeless people do not have access to primary health care services, do not have a family doctor, and are usually treated through emergency services when they reach a serious or extreme situation. The direct consequence is an average age of death that has been estimated at 52 years for women and 56 for men. An Irish study based on homeless people in Dublin reduced it further: 36 years for women and 44 for men.

Doctor To The Homeless Practices What She Calls Street Medicine

Social distancing is difficult to practice in crowded homeless shelters. One doctor is working to increase awareness among this population and ensure health care service are provided.