Homelessness: the imperative for a public health response

Wood, Lisa J.

doi:10.1111/1753-6405.13034

Cited by 10 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 10 publications

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“…Many of the chronic health conditions seen frequently among people experiencing homelessness are preventable [ 41 ] and/or amendable to early detection and treatment [ 42 ]. As seen in the present cohort of people experiencing homelessness, chronic pain, respiratory conditions (asthma and COPD), diabetes, liver disease, and alcohol use disorders are among those health conditions that are more prevalent among people experiencing homelessness than among the general Australian population.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Multimorbidity among People Experiencing Homelessness—Insights from Primary Care Data

Vallesi

Tuson

Davies³

2021

IJERPH

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Background: Although the poor health of people experiencing homelessness is increasingly recognised in health discourse, there is a dearth of research that has quantified the nature and magnitude of chronic health issues and morbidity among people experiencing homelessness, particularly in the Australian context. Methods: Analysis of the medical records of 2068 “active” patients registered with a specialist homeless health service in Perth, Western Australia as of 31 December 2019. Results: Overall, 67.8% of patients had at least one chronic physical health condition, 67.5% had at least one mental health condition, and 61.6% had at least one alcohol or other drug (AOD) use disorder. Nearly half (47.8%) had a dual diagnosis of mental health and AOD use issues, and over a third (38.1%) were tri-morbid (mental health, AOD and physical health condition). Three-quarters (74.9%) were multimorbid or had at least two long-term conditions (LTCs), and on average, each patient had 3.3 LTCs. Conclusions: The study findings have substantial implications from both a health risk and healthcare treatment perspective for people experiencing homeless. The pervasiveness of preventable health conditions among people experiencing homelessness also highlights the imperative to improve the accessibility of public health programs and screening to reduce their morbidity and premature mortality.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Multimorbidity among People Experiencing Homelessness—Insights from Primary Care Data

Vallesi

Tuson

Davies³

2021

IJERPH

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“…However, the impact of contractual agreements on te Tiriti-based practice is not solely experienced by Pākehā HPPs. Wood (2018) also found contractual obligations prevented Māori HPPs employed in PHUs from integrating tikanga Māori (Māori customs and protocols) and Whānau Ora into their work.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mental health promotion practice in Aotearoa New Zealand: findings from a qualitative study

Craik,

Egan,

Kewene

et al. 2023

Health Promotion International

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Mental health promotion (MHP) is integral to improving the overall health and well being of individuals, communities, and populations. However, knowledge and reporting about MHP which occurs throughout Aotearoa New Zealand (NZ) is limited. This article reports findings from a qualitative study that sought to understand NZ health promotion practitioners’ (HPPs) MHP practice. Semi-structured interviews were undertaken with 15 HPPs employed at various health promotion organizations. Thematic analysis of interview transcripts identified three key themes. Two themes (planning and evaluation) related to practice directly and included various subthemes: needs assessment; principles/approaches/frameworks; operationalizing equity and te Tiriti o Waitangi; collaborative approaches; planning for evaluation; process evaluation domination; and evaluation challenges. The third theme related to the context of practice and encompassed various system influences restricting HPPs from practising as they wished. These were represented in four subthemes: contractual agreements; field fragmentation; in the shadows of mental ill-health and workforce capacity. Study findings highlight several opportunities to improve MHP practice in NZ. Most pertinently, the need for system-level action to address the factors restricting HPPs’ practice.

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“…25 Further, it enables the comparison of health, wellbeing and social determinant data to be compared for rough sleepers with and without ADF experience, this is important for adding to the growing evidence for homelessness as a public health issue. 26…”

Section: Prevalence Of Homelessness Among Veterans In Australiamentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The data in this study is by contrast, captured ‘on the ground’ via point‐in‐time data collection undertaken on foot and in person, using an instrument developed with people with a lived experience of homelessness 25 . Further, it enables the comparison of health, wellbeing and social determinant data to be compared for rough sleepers with and without ADF experience, this is important for adding to the growing evidence for homelessness as a public health issue 26 …”

Section: Factors Contributing To Homelessness Among Veteransmentioning

confidence: 99%

Out of the trenches; prevalence of Australian veterans among the homeless population and the implications for public health

Flatau

Seivwright

Wood

2022

Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health

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Objectives: To examine the prevalence of Australian Defence Force veterans among people sleeping rough and explore their health and social needs relative to non-veteran rough sleepers.Method: Analysis of responses to the Vulnerability Index -Service Prioritisation Decision Assistance Tool (VI-SPDAT) collected from 8,027 rough sleepers across five Australian States from 2010-2017.Results: Veterans were found to comprise 5.6% of people sleeping rough in Australia, with veterans reporting having spent an average of 6.3 years on the street or in emergency accommodation (compared with an average of five years for their non-veterans counterparts). Veterans had a higher prevalence of self-reported physical health, mental health and social issues compared with non-veteran rough sleepers.Conclusions: This is the first study of its kind to elucidate the presence of Australian veterans among people sleeping rough. That they are likely to have spent more years on the street, and have a higher prevalence of health and social issues, highlights the imperative for earlier intervention and prevention of veteran homelessness itself, and its health impacts.Implications for public health: Veteran homelessness has been comparatively hidden in Australia compared to other countries, and consequently the myriad of health, psychosocial and adjustment issues faced by homeless veterans has also been hidden. With heightened attention on veteran suicide and self-harm, earlier intervention to prevent veterans becoming homeless constitutes sound public health prevention and mental health policy.

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Homelessness: the imperative for a public health response

Cited by 10 publications

References 10 publications

Multimorbidity among People Experiencing Homelessness—Insights from Primary Care Data

Multimorbidity among People Experiencing Homelessness—Insights from Primary Care Data

Mental health promotion practice in Aotearoa New Zealand: findings from a qualitative study

Out of the trenches; prevalence of Australian veterans among the homeless population and the implications for public health

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