Articles tagged with Homelessness
A study analyzing a large VA database found that homeless veterans were less likely to receive benzodiazepine prescriptions but more likely to receive risky prescriptions. This raises concerns about safe prescribing practices for this vulnerable population, who are at high risk of substance use disorder and overdose death.
The COVID-19 pandemic and drug overdose epidemic significantly contributed to the widening gender gap in US life expectancy. Chronic metabolic disease and mental illness are also thought to play a role in the growing disparity.
A study led by UC San Francisco found that homeless individuals have a 7 times higher rate of sudden cardiac death compared to the general population. Non-cardiac causes, such as overdoses and unrecognized infections, are more common among homeless people.
A new neighborhood-based care model has been shown to be effective in treating hepatitis C among injection drug users and those experiencing homelessness. The study found that 92% of participants had undetectable levels of the virus after treatment, with 84% achieving sustained virologic response.
A study at Washington State University found that implicit bias training improved police behavior toward homeless individuals, particularly in terms of offering polite greetings and de-escalating volatile situations. The trained officers also reported 50% fewer discrimination complaints overall.
A new study found that people experiencing homelessness accounted for one in six fatal opioid-related deaths in Ontario, reaching 16.8% by 2021. The quarterly proportion of opioid-related overdose deaths among unhoused individuals increased from 7.2% to 16.8% over four years.
A new portable device invented by researchers at the University of Bath can detect synthetic cannabinoids like Spice on various materials, including paper and fabric, with high accuracy. The device is expected to be rolled out across the UK within months and may eventually be available globally.
A new survey by USC Street Medicine found that street medicine programs are helping to fill the gap in access to mental health and substance use treatments for unhoused individuals in California. The study suggests that these programs can serve as a strategy to expand access to behavioral health care for people who are unsheltered.
Researchers developed a set of guiding principles to help airports respond to homelessness, focusing on safety for all groups. The principles emphasize do no harm through crisis management training and balanced responses that produce co-benefits, such as improved customer experience.
A study by UC Riverside-led researchers reveals that deportation causes social, economic, and political insecurities among noncitizen veterans. The study found that many veterans struggle to maintain access to necessities, experience chronic stress, and face poor health outcomes after deportation. The researchers emphasize the need for...
Research reveals that cancer screening awareness is low among people experiencing homelessness, making it difficult for them to receive timely treatment. The study's findings highlight the need for targeted prevention programs tailored to this underserved group's unique needs.
Researchers at the University of Notre Dame found that targeted financial assistance can prevent homelessness, with participants 81% less likely to become homeless within six months. The study suggests that investing in homelessness prevention programs can yield benefits exceeding the costs.
Unaccompanied migrant children are vulnerable to persistent emotional distress due to their experiences. Ongoing psychosocial support is crucial after resettlement to mitigate these symptoms.
The pilot will provide comprehensive wraparound services, addressing barriers to housing stability through behavioral health, landlord-resident communications, and benefits counseling. Funding from Fairfax County will help select effective services and plan program rollout nationwide.
A study found that harm reduction treatment reduced substance use, including cannabis and polysubstance use, among people experiencing homelessness. Participants in the treatment group used cannabis 41% fewer days than the control group. The approach led to improved quality of life and basic needs, making it a sustainable option.
New research on homelessness in Ireland reveals a significant increase in emergency accommodation usage since 2015. The study highlights the need for improved mental health support, effective harm reduction programs, and better strategies for frequent ED attenders.
A systematic review of 64 intervention studies and 41 implementation studies found that case management increases wellbeing in the short term but has no impact on employment, mental or physical health, or substance use. Intensive in-person meetings with a case manager are more beneficial than mixed remote/in-person meetings.
A pilot study found that short-term therapy sessions with parents and their children in homeless shelters reduce parental stress and children's post-traumatic stress symptoms. Mothers reported improved parenting skills and reduced stress symptoms after participating in evidence-based parenting interventions.
The USPSTF recommends screening for latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) in populations at increased risk, including those born in or former residents of high-prevalence countries and congregate settings. Estimated prevalence is about 5.0% in the US, with up to 13 million persons affected.
The study reveals that female youth charged with prostitution had significantly higher prevalence rates of physical abuse and lower likelihood of living with parents, while males were more likely to live with their parents. Education and training are crucial for professionals to identify sex trafficking victimization and reduce misiden...
A simulation modeling study finds that involuntary displacement worsens overdose and hospitalizations, decreases treatment initiation, and contributes to deaths. The study projects substantial increases in morbidity and mortality over a 10-year period in cities with such displacements.
A new model shows that encampment sweeps, bans and move-along-orders contribute to 15-25% increase in deaths among people experiencing homelessness over a 10-year period. Involuntary displacement is linked to increased overdose deaths, hospitalizations, injection-related infections and hindered access to medications.
Researchers found that peer support specialists with a shared life experience were most valued for providing emotional and housing/employment support, helping inmates recover from opioid use disorder. Participants appreciated the empathetic and trustworthy relationships established with their peer navigators.
A new study found that social workers experienced high rates of depression, PTSD, and anxiety during the pandemic, with 40% reporting depression - a rate 4 times higher than the general population. The study highlights the need for trauma-informed approaches and strong mental health supports for staff to sustain the profession.
A new Cornell University-led study finds 'staggering' disparities in national sheltered homelessness rates across race and ethnicity, with Black and Indigenous Americans disproportionately affected. The report highlights a need for more comprehensive data to inform policies targeting those most at risk of homelessness.
A study found that nearly half of under-25 couchsurfers identified as queer, with poor mental health and psychological distress common among this group. Sexual exchange, including labor, was a significant concern, particularly for bisexual and queer women.
A study of 13,287 children found that early-life adversity was strongly associated with poorer mental health across all ages from 3 to 14 years. Adversity also predicted poorer working memory at age 11 and vocabulary at age 14.
Employing individuals experiencing houselessness leads to more positive perceptions from customers, resulting in improved feelings towards the company and its responsible actions. This study highlights the potential win-win for all involved, as organisations can improve customer trust while helping those in need.
A genomic study of the Seattle 2017-2022 Shigella outbreak revealed its origin as international travelers from areas where Shigella was common. The study also found that multi-drug resistant Shigella has become a growing global health concern, primarily affecting men who have sex with men and those experiencing homelessness.
A new study by UCLA and USC found that people experiencing homelessness in L.A. County are 2.35 times more likely to die from COVID-19 than the general population. The researchers suggest that accelerated aging among the homeless may be a contributing factor to this increased risk.
A study found that providing only housing to young mothers struggling with substance abuse does little to help them. In contrast, those receiving housing and supportive services showed significant improvements in reducing substance use and increasing self-efficacy.
Researchers from UCSF and the San Francisco VA Health Care System found that veterans with PTSD had an 8% increased risk of death and a 9% increased risk of hospitalization compared to those without psychiatric diagnoses. Patients with psychosis had a 58% increased risk of death and a 66% increased risk of hospitalization.
An SFU study is evaluating evidence-based interventions for older adults experiencing homelessness in Vancouver, Montreal, and Calgary. The project aims to improve services with a focus on 'Aging in the Right Place', addressing unique challenges such as harassment and bullying.
A new study by researchers at the University of Michigan finds that patients with documented housing instability were more likely to receive diagnoses for mental, behavioral, and neurodevelopmental conditions, and had longer hospital stays. The study used data from 2017-2019 and found that caring for hospitalized people with housing is...
Research on interventions to mitigate housing insecurity found low-certainty evidence of positive health outcomes, primarily for emergency rent assistance and homeownership assistance. However, existing interventions may need to be paired with other efforts to address structural determinants of health.
A One Health Clinic in Seattle provides concurrent primary health care and veterinary care to homeless youth and their pets, addressing the human-animal bond to increase access to healthcare. The clinic offers a free toolkit for starting similar clinics in the US or Canada.
A quality improvement project implemented by primary care providers increased the use of telehealth consultations among military veterans experiencing homelessness. The proportion of video visits doubled from 4.8% to 10.3% over 16 weeks, continuing to rise during the following month.
A UC San Diego study found that cancer patients experiencing housing instability had a significantly increased risk of mortality. The research suggests that integrating health and social care can improve patient outcomes by identifying and addressing underlying social risk factors.
A long-term study found that older homeless people are at a high risk of dying, with a median age of death of 64.6 years old. The study also found that people who first became homeless at age 50 or later were about 60 percent more likely to die than those who had become homeless earlier in life.
A recent study found that people experiencing homelessness had a lower annual incidence rate of COVID-19 than the general population at state and local levels. The national estimate of the true incidence rate remains unknown due to under- or overestimation.
Dr. David Buck, a University of Houston professor, has dedicated his career to healing homelessness and fixing the broken aid industry. He founded Healthcare for the Homeless Houston and Patient Care Intervention Center to provide comprehensive care and collaborative partnerships.
A new study reveals that methamphetamine use is widespread in rural America, driving overdoses and deaths. The research found that people using both methamphetamine and opioids had a significantly higher risk of nonfatal overdose, with 22% reporting an overdose in the past six months.
The 'Aspire' program has shown significant success in providing stable housing and comprehensive supports to individuals experiencing chronic homelessness. After three years, 575 participants have found secure housing and are on the path to a better life.
A new study calls for expanded access to water, sanitation, and hygiene services in rural areas, focusing on women's sanitary needs. The research found that unmet WASH needs exacerbate self-esteem and drug usage among people experiencing homelessness.
A machine-learning model developed by researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital predicts which US Army soldiers are at greatest risk of homelessness upon transitioning to civilian life. The study identifies lifetime depression, trauma, and PTSD as key predictors, allowing for targeted interventions to mitigate homelessness.
A new study from the University of Utah examines the impacts of decentralizing homeless service locations in Salt Lake County, Utah. The research found that people using the relocated resource centers tended to travel less, with visits to community services declining by as much as 40%.
A new study from George Mason University's College of Health and Human Services researchers found that the likelihood of foster youth with disabilities experiencing homelessness or incarceration during transition to adulthood varies by type of disability. Youth with emotional disabilities are more likely to experience homelessness, whi...
A recent study published in JAMA Psychiatry has found that individuals without jobs or stable housing experience worse depression symptoms when treated with therapy or antidepressants. The researchers analyzed data from nine studies involving over 4,800 participants and discovered that unemployed patients had 28% poorer outcomes compar...
Researchers found that a national housing and support program called Housing First was effective in helping homeless veterans access housing and stay in their homes for five years. The study, conducted at the Veterans Administration of Greater Los Angeles, found that strong leadership, organizational resources, and community partnershi...
A new study found that a higher minimum wage was associated with fewer people defaulting on their rent payments, particularly among those at the lower end of the housing expense market. However, landlords responded by increasing rent payments, offsetting some but not all of the increased income.
A new study found nearly 17% of cancer survivors experience moderate or increased housing insecurity, complicating disease management and healthcare navigation. Housing insecurity also correlates with lower household income, educational attainment, and being Black.
A study of over 800 hospitals found that people experiencing incarceration or homelessness had increased COVID-19 hospitalization rates and longer hospital stays compared to the general population. This highlights the vulnerable status of these groups during the pandemic.
A study published by UC San Diego researchers found that heat waves significantly increase emergency room visits among people experiencing homelessness. The study highlights the need for heat action plans to protect vulnerable populations from extreme weather conditions.
A Chicago study found that providing individual hotel rooms and medical support to high-risk homeless individuals reduced SARS-CoV-2 infection rates by 75% compared to citywide rates in shelters. The intervention also led to improvements in health measures such as blood pressure and glycemic control, with over half of participants movi...
A new study from the University of the Basque Country found that social interaction and contact with family members have a significant positive impact on homeless people's perception of their health. Conversely, longer periods of homelessness and reduced social connections are associated with poorer health perceptions.
A new study at Boston Medical Center found that individuals experiencing unstable housing and homelessness are more likely to be re-infected with SARS-CoV-2 due to increased exposure. Despite having antibodies from the first infection, individuals in unstable housing were still at a higher risk of re-infection.
A year-long study found that few veterans were able to obtain permanent housing despite living near the region's major VA service center. The study highlights the need for outreach efforts to be expanded to engage unhoused veterans, with mobile services potentially being a key solution.
Overdose deaths involving cocaine or methamphetamine increased triply in the shadow of the opioid epidemic. Most fatal overdoses (70%) involved multiple substances, with most being opioids and stimulants. The study highlights disparities in overdose risk from stimulants among Black veterans and rural residents.
A study found that climate change increased the probability of heavy rainfall by 70% in Brazil's Minas Gerais state, leading to severe flooding, deaths, and massive damage. The extreme event caused over 90,000 people to be temporarily homeless and resulted in significant economic losses.
The study will assess the impact of environmental and economic interventions on health and well-being in predominantly Black neighborhoods. Researchers will enroll 720 adults, half receiving the proposed interventions, and evaluate their overall health and wellbeing, as well as violent crime rates.