Health Disparities And Homelessness

According to a report by the National Coalition for the Homeless (2009), poor health is closely associated with homelessness. For instance, even if one belongs to the middle or lower class in society, a serious illness will lead to a financial downward spiral starting from losing one’s job due to a lot of time spent away from work, usage of one’s savings to pay for medical bills and this can lead to one being evicted from his/her house and one eventually ends up in the streets where the person will become vulnerable to infections and

The purpose of their study was to establish a better understanding of the characteristics of the mentally-ill homeless adults. Upon the collection of data through a review of the archived shelter medical records of the 74 subjects included in the study, the researchers aggregated and analyzed the data, calculating the medication adherence rates for the previous 30days. Mental illness and substance use disorders in the study were identified in 67.6 percent and 44.6 percent of the participants respectively. These findings prompted the acknowledgement that homeless individuals suffering from mental illness that specialized transitional shelters serve constitutes of population whose psychiatric, social and mental needs are complex. Thus, the characteristics of homeless populations are complicated by the numerous needs that need systematic assessment and thoughtful addressing to enhance the likelihood of successful outcomes (Viron, Bello, Freudenreich, & Shtasel, 2014). Importantly, it is evident that mental illness and addiction that can be attributed to substance abuse are common phenomena among the homeless populations. These prompt the study to recommend integrated and patient-centered treatment services with emphasis being given to addiction

The experience of homelessness inhibits the physical, emotional, cognitive, social, and behavioral development of children. Difficulties faced by homeless children include low self-esteem, lack of sleep and nutrition and feelings of shame and embarrassment. These children are exposed to the harsher realities of life. The stressors of being homeless can lead to many homeless children feeling depressed, causing detrimental health effects (Vostanis and Cumella, 1999). In general, homeless children consistently exhibit more health problems than housed poor children. Environmental factors contribute to homeless children’s poor health and they are at high risk for infectious disease. Homeless children are at greater risk for asthma and lead poisoning, often with more severe symptoms than housed children. Poor nutrition also contributes to homeless children’s poor health, causing increased rates of stunted growth and anemia. Despite these widespread health problems, homeless children generally lack access to consistent health care, and this lack of care can increase severity of illness. Homelessness also exposes infants to environmental factors that can endanger their health. Homeless children begin to demonstrate significant developmental delays after 18 months of age, which are believed to influence later behavioral and emotional problems. A quarter or more of homeless children have witnessed violence, and more than half have problems with anxiety and depression. Family homelessness may result in children’s separation from their parents—either because children are formally placed in foster care, or because parents leave children in the care of relatives and friends (Child Trends Data Bank, 2015). Homeless children worry about where they will sleep on a given night, and if they have a place to sleep, they are afraid of losing it. Older children worry about being separated from

For instance, a study published in 2009 discusses the importance of understanding the different aspects of this population in order to effectively help end youth homelessness. The study notes that are two typical forms of youth homelessness: children living in homeless families and unaccompanied youth. The first group, children living in homeless families, is essentially children who “live in families without a home” (Aratani, 2009, p. 4). Unaccompanied youth, then include those who are runaways, throwaways, and independent youth who have no contact with their family. Additionally, there is a multitude of factors that have been known to contribute to homelessness. These factors include, but are not limited to, lack of affordable housing, economic insecurity, behavioral health, etc. Research has found that the main contributing factors for children living in homeless families are the lack of affordable housing, poverty, and domestic violence (Aratani, 2009). Similarly, mental illness, substance abuse, and lack of affordable housing are the top contributing factors of homelessness among unaccompanied youth (Aratani, 2009). In addition to analyzing the factors that can cause homelessness, the article explores the impact that homelessness can have on youth. For example, homelessness can often lead to food insecurity since food supplies can be scarce, which can then have a negative impact on the child/youth’s overall health. Also, it can lead to juvenile delinquency, troubles with school, and “a greater risk of experiencing mental health problems” (Aratani, 2009, p. 7). When determining what programs and other resources are best fit to help end youth homelessness, it is important to understand the causes and impact of homelessness among youths in the United

Our capstone project is aimed at combating the lack of basic healthcare and basic service in the poor and homeless. The biggest factors toward poor health are discriminatory behavior towards homeless communities and insufficient clothing to combat weather.

Family homelessness is a growing social problem affecting families in every state. Nationwide, 85% of providers have seen family homelessness increasing in recent years(“The Facts About Family Homelessness”). Homelessness is often looked over, when someone sees a homeless person on the street they only see what they want to see it is unlikely that a person actually thinks about how the person became homeless. Women and children affected by homelessness is usually seen as abstract and would not be as conventional as a homeless man. This injustice to the women and children is unacceptable and using civil disobedience will help diminish the fire of ignorance.

Homelessness today is a huge risk in America and it 's just not homes. The risk is from the aids, murder, and to death from exposure. These risks make it hard for survival in the real world for them. “All large cities have heated shelters where to homeless can spend the night, but often homeless people don’t use them because they are afraid.” For homeless people this would be a big

This website provides the reader with facts on the causes of homelessness, the consequences it may have, and additional information relevant to the topic. For example, this site mentions the changes in overall homelessness in each state between 2013 and 2014. In addition, this source discusses the impacts that homelessness could possibly have on those of young ages, old ages, and those who may already have health issues. For instance, homeless people with mental illnesses tend to have less contact with family or friends and are more likely to remain homeless for a longer period of time.

Homeless children face many obstacles that impact their well-being. 2005 reports showed children in poverty have: poorer physical health and development, mental health. Child who don’t have a fixed residency at night time, might get placed where they share housing with others. This type of housing environment is referred as “doubling up.” This living style is included by ED and other federal agencies, but not supported by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Finally, another major issue involved with homelessness is the safety of the populations of homeless individuals. Accomodation for the masses is a major issue when one is confronted with the issue of homelessness. Where are all of these people meant to stay, if not the streets? One answer comes in shelters, but the current shelters available in most cities are often lackluster and not the best places to stay. “The women noted that shelters currently available lack the necessary requirements of basic accommodation,” (Walsh et al.) found a study in the Qualitative Report called “Characteristics of Home: Perspectives of Women Who are Homeless.” For people who are currently suffering homeless, there are very few options for accomodation. Sleeping rough is dangerous, but if shelters are not much better, then where are people going to

Prime candidates for permanent supportive housing are those considered to be chronically homeless. This group of homeless individuals are those who according to the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) meet the following definition: a single adult with a disability that has been homeless, unsheltered for over one year or more, they have been homeless four times within the last three years with a combined time totaling twelve months. This subgroup of homeless individuals is more subject to limited, available, and suitable housing when they suffer long-term disabilities, have mental health disorders, and are not employed with sustainable income (Parker, 2010).

"While many homeless children are not abused, the cumulative effects of homelessness alone can still cause psychological issues. Michelle Fryt Linehan, the former director of the Office for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth for the Massachusetts Department of Education, argues that shelters (commonly called “welfare hotels”) are overcrowded and can be psychologically destructive to residents. Shelters are often deteriorated buildings situated in oppressed areas. Furthermore, they are often crowded and chaotic, meaning they increase personal pressure and stress and often indirectly lead to conflicts and/or violence between parents and children. Recent studies have demonstrated that “sensitive, responsive care in the first few years of life” leads to greater school achievement and less need for special education, fewer behavioral problems, less reliance on drugs and alcohol during the teenage years, and improved social abilities" (Kelly,

Homelessness can have a devastating effect on children. Homeless children are hungry and sick more often, and worry about their family’s situation and future. Even though it’s extremely hard to estimate the amount of homeless children, about 1.4 million students students in the U.S were homeless at the beginning of the 2013-2014 school year. As expected, homeless children and youth are difficult to count because their living situations frequently change. Some have tried to estimate the extent of the homeless problem in the United States using many methods but they all have their limitations.

Mental health in relation to homelessness has become a prolific epidemic that has infiltrated the social construct of the United States. “When the conditions of high rent, diminished housing subsidies, and poor economic indicators exist at a specific place and time (e.g., New York City in 2009), rates of homelessness witll increase (O’Flaherty 2004). Many view homelessness as a complex social problem that has directly to do with an individuals choices, or lack of an individuals work ethic. However, it is not that simple, nor at all accurate. “Individual risk factors associated with homelessness include a history of foster care, social isolation, forensic history, poor familial relationships, mental illness, and substance abuse” (Allgood and

Consequently, a difference is being able to help them out by providing a daily, warm and home cooked meal. To reduce stress levels, we provided meals for the family and ensured that they are receiving their recommended servings. In addition to my internship at the homeless center, I was able to comprehend the many definitions are associated with homelessness. Homelessness affects children and adults’ by preventing a healthy lifestyle from occurring. It also alters their perception, mental health, increases abuse, and limits