Medical outreach to homeless substance users in New York City: Preliminary results

Andrew Rosenblum, Larry Nuttbrock, Hunter McQuistion, Steve Magura, Herman Joseph

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

24 Scopus citations

Abstract

An innovative, experimental, medical out-reach initiative, using a fully-equipped mobile medical van with a staff of 2 part-time physicians, a physician assistant, a social worker, and a driver/medical aid serving the needs of 1048, mostly male, minority group, high-level, homeless New York City substance users with infectious diseases is described. The study sample (N=250) was divided into experimental S's who received Intensive case management and a control group who could choose to refer themselves to the SW. Biological tests revealed high rates of cocaine use and infectious diseases. Preliminary 4-month outcomes (N = 128) showed reductions in drug use, homelessness and health complaints in both groups; experimental subjects compared with controls received more Public Assistance and had fewer emergency room visits.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1269-1273
Number of pages5
JournalSubstance Use and Misuse
Volume37
Issue number8-10
DOIs
StatePublished - 2002
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Case management
  • Homelessness
  • Medical outreach
  • Substance use

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