Meeting the Health and Social Needs of America’s Unhoused and Housing-Unstable Populations: A Position Paper From the American College of Physicians

• DOI: 10.7326/m23-2795
• Publication Date: 2024-02-26T22:01:06Z
• Authors: Josh Serchen; David R. Hilden; Micah W. Beachy
• Keywords: Position (finance)

Access to safe and stable housing has both a direct indirect effect on health. Experiencing homelessness instability can induce stress trauma, worsening behavioral health substance use. The absence of living conditions make it challenging rest, recuperate, recover from ailments pose barriers treatment adherence. Homelessness is associated with high rates numerous diseases chronic conditions. Its cyclical relationship other social drivers exacerbate disparities. As result, unhoused persons experience unique challenges require care system professionals designed meet their distinct needs. Physicians have role in educating themselves about the needs patients as well making aware community government resources available these populations. Policymakers must support efforts by supporting data infrastructure needed facilitate referrals resources, research into best practices for caring populations, investing community-based organization capacity. Policy action address underlying homelessness, including dearth affordable housing, while also addressing short-term need shelter now. In this position paper, American College (ACP) recognizes universal access fulfill one's right ACP offers several recommendations prevent promote necessary