Background: People experiencing homelessness (PEH) face barriers to accessing regular ambulatory care, which increases their risk of having poorly controlled chronic medical conditions and contributes to high acute care utilization. The role of field-based homeless healthcare teams in improving hypertension and diabetes control and reducing acute care utilization (e.g., emergency department [ED] visits, inpatient hospitalizations) [...]

Background: Ambulatory care sensitive conditions (ACSCs) are a set of diagnoses that if not recognized and addressed properly in the ambulatory setting can lead to preventable hospitalizations. People experiencing homelessness (PEH) often have barriers to access of ambulatory care services and chronic disease self-management. These place them at high risk for having ACSCs, and contribute [...]

Background: Patients experiencing unsheltered homelessness are at extreme risk for worse outcomes, including increased mortality 10 times that of the general population and an average life expectancy of 53 (over 20 yrs less than general population). Transitions of care pose unique difficulties for this vulnerable population, with numerous barriers to ongoing care and resulting readmission [...]

Background: Lack of stable housing adversely affects health outcomes, increases healthcare utilization, and increases mortality. Few studies have assessed the prevalence of homelessness and housing insecurity in hospitalized patients. To address this gap, we conducted a hospital point-in-time study to determine the prevalence of housing insecurity and homelessness among hospitalized patients at two academic medical [...]

Background: Patients experiencing homelessness have unique healthcare needs due to barriers of care, lack of access to food and safety, and limited social services. Patients can be experiencing homelessness temporarily or chronically. They experience high rates of substance abuse, mental illness and other health problems like HIV. These unique circumstances make patients experiencing homeless unique [...]

Background: An estimated 580,000 individuals were experiencing homelessness during the most recent national point-in-time count. Dialysis requires substantial patient engagement, and not having secure housing impedes medical care and could increase acute care utilization. The prevalence of homelessness and its impact on hospitalizations among patients with ESKD are unknown. This retrospective cohort study examined differences [...]

Background: The care management and discharge planning of psychiatric patients experiencing homelessness (PPEH) is an area of debate. Due to the lack of research on best practices and community resources available, there are currently insufficient actionable guidelines in place to properly assist PPEH in their psychiatric care post-discharge, leading to high rates of readmission. Though [...]

Case Presentation: A 52-year-old destitute G6P6006 woman with an advanced stage Inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) presented to the OB/GYN for four-month right breast pain and one-month skin changes. The examination was notable for a diffusely dense and hard to left palpation breast, peau d’orange, medial scarring similar to boils without drainage, absent nipple discharge, and [...]

Background: Individuals experiencing homelessness have increased disease burden and healthcare needs compared to the general population. Homelessness is correlated with poor health outcomes and higher early mortality rates. Despite increased health care needs, individuals experiencing homelessness have more barriers and therefore less exposure to ambulatory care with consequently higher rates of acute hospital care. Unhoused [...]

Background: People experiencing homelessness (PEH) face barriers to accessing regular ambulatory care, which increases their risk of having poorly controlled chronic medical conditions and contributes to high acute care utilization. The role of field-based homeless healthcare teams in improving hypertension and diabetes control and reducing acute care utilization (e.g., emergency department [ED] visits, inpatient hospitalizations) [...]