Running head: HOMELESS POPULATION

Homeless Population
Leslie Rush
Ferris State University

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Homeless Population

Homelessness has been a long standing problem for every society and their healthcare
systems over many decades. "Homeless people are known to suffer disproportionately with
health problems that reduce physical functioning and quality of life, and shorten life expectancy"
(Fisher, et al, 2013). Homeless have a variety of reasons for being vulnerable. Homelessness is
a vulnerable and underserved group, as many of them suffer with alcoholism, mental health
issues, incarceration, lack a primary care physician, or any number of other stereotypes typically
associated with these people. These unfortunate situations lead to poor outcomes when it comes
to a homeless person's personal health. Common health problems for the homeless population
include visual impairment, hypertension, lower extremity wounds and infections, and positive
tuberculosis skin test (Gelberg, Andersen, & Leake, 2000, p.1273).
Personal Bias
Unfortunately, I suffer from some of the same bias and stereotyping that most
healthcare workers do when it comes to the homeless population. Many within this population
are substance abusers, have mental health illnesses, co-morbidities, undereducated, or are just
plain lazy and unmotivated. I work on a unit in a large, inner city health system that sees
numerous patients that are currently homeless or have been at some point in their lives. These
patients have learned to misuse the healthcare system such as with hospitals a temporary home
with a warm, dry bed, three meals a day, and a 'fix' for their drug addiction. My other thought
about this population is that do not want to help themselves and choose to continue to live this
way. I have this bias, because many of the vulnerable homeless population are 'frequent flyers'
in many hospital systems.

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Demographics
The homeless population includes "single men, families with children led by single
head of household (woman), single women (bag ladies), and children (< 18 years of age) who
lack adult supervision" (Harkness &DeMarco, 2012, p.348). A report published by the
department of Health Services in Arizona show that 80% of homeless are men, 50% are over the
age of 45 and are homeless for a variety of reasons (Zazworsky & Johnson, 2014, p.179). At 69
percent, single mothers with children make up the largest homeless group within Michigan
having an average age of 32 for adult and 7 years for the children (Michigan Campaign to End
Homelessness, n.d.).
Reflection/Conclusion
"Homeless people experience numerous barriers to health care, such as psychiatric
illness, substance misuse, and lack of a fixed address for correspondence" making it difficult for
follow up treatment (Fisher, et al., 2013). Looking over the research that has been presented, I
need to remember that this population has legitimate diseases and that, regardless of my own
personal bias or stereotyping, I need to treat them just as I would any other patient who is not in
this situation. Providing support, education, and direction about housing, healthcare, and
substance abuse treatment options may lead to one person having the ability to put homelessness
behind them and move forward. Acknowledgement of having a bias is the first step in a 'road to
recovery' and making the public aware of the statistics may be the next.

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References

Fisher R., Ewing J., Garrett A., et al. (2013). The nature and prevalence of chronic pain in
homeless persons: an observational study. F1000 Research 2013. 2:164.
doi:10.12688/f1000research.2-164.v1.
Gelberg, L., Andersen, R.M., & Leake, B.D., (2000). The behavioral model for vulnerable
populations: application to medical care use and outcomes for homeless people.
Healthcare Access and Utilization. 34:6. 1273-1302.
Harkness, G. A., & DeMarco, R. F. (2012). Community and public health nursing: Evidence for
practice. Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins.
Michigan Campaign to End Homelessness. (n.d.). Fact sheet. Retrieved from:
http://www.thecampaigntoendhomelessness.org/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=PyAi7MFQ
N7o%3D&tabid=80&mid=429
Zazworsky, D. & Johnson, N. (2014). It takes a village: a community partnership model in caring
for the homeless. Nursing Administration Quarterly. 38:2. 179-185.