Homeless persons and health care

P. W. Brickner, B. C. Scanlan, B. Conanan, A. Elvy, J. McAdam, L. K. Scharer, W. J. Vicic

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

78 Scopus citations

Abstract

Health care is generally unavailable for the homeless. This heterogeneous group of men and women, including longterm street dwellers, residents of shelters, the chronically mentally ill, the economically debased, and alienated youth, are subject to a broad range of acute and chronic diseases, intensified by unsuitable living conditions, stress and sociopathic behavior. Trauma, pulmonary tuberculosis, infestations, and peripheral vascular disease are common problems among the homeless; incomplete and fragmentary medical care permits exacerbation of chronic disorders. Outreach programs imaginatively constructed by teams of physicians, nurses, and social workers can effectively reestablish and maintain health services for these disenfranchised persons.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)405-409
Number of pages5
JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine
Volume104
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - 1986

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Homeless persons and health care'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this