Homeless

Introduction The objective was to review the state of homelessness in the Atlanta, Georgia region along with reviewing other areas in the United States. Homeless affects a considerable number of Georgians as well as people across the world. Homelessness does not discriminate by race, age, or sex. Homelessness carries with it a high load of illnesses, which affect not only the homeless but also communities and environment. The review of homelessness provides an examination to provide sufficient actions to provide a bridge between homelessness and public health. Definition of Homeless In order to understand homelessness, it must be clear in understanding the definition for homeless. Any individual who lacks a permanent, regular, and sufficient nighttime residence; has no prime nighttime dwelling that is either a public or a private shelter. Homelessness does not only address the lack of shelter, but also a degree of social segregation What We Know About the Homeless Projections are that between 17,000 to 20,000 homeless live n the City of Atlanta, with several homeless people dying from the cold each year. Atlanta has also gain the title of being the second meanest city towards the homeless. Many people in Atlanta who are homeless also struggle with many medical problems, but the public health system is not well equipped to respond to their needs, leaving them with no access to treatment or recovery supports. Many of the individuals who are homeless depend on such systems as the emergency rooms, hospital psychiatric bed, detoxification centers, jail, and treatment programs, which place a heavy load on the health, mental health, and correctional system. Homelessness contributes to illness through a number of factors physical and psychological stress, exposure to the elements, living in crowded, chaotic, unhealthy environments, lack of protection from an array of bacteria and viruses and social problems associated with poverty and the stigma of being on the streets. "The homeless probably harbor the largest pool of untreated disease left in American society today" (Wright and Weber 1987:17). Among the health problems commonly encountered by homeless people are cold injury, which is particularly essential in the northern United States and Canada and is obviously the result of being without proper protection from the cold. Upper respiratory problems or chronic physical illnesses such as coronary artery disease or high blood pressure. The United States has experience and increase of 20 percent in active tuberculosis cases, this highly infectious disease is very common among those in shelters and in the streets. Donhoe, M. (2004) The velocity of TB among homeless people is greater than the standard for the general population. Other diseases such as skin disease, nutritional deficiencies, HIV and sleep deprivation is only a small list of some of the many things which the homeless community faces. Premature mortality in the homeless population is another concern by public health administrators. Many would believe that behavioral health issues or substance abuse are the cause for the death of many of the homeless, but many reports have concluded that the “physical health problem – such as cancer or heart disease – is a greater predictor of premature mortality than is an addiction or mental illness Homelessness and Public Health Due to the unstable lives and the disjointed and insufficient health care system, citizens who are homeless often find their health problems to be multiple, inter-related, chronic, and difficult to resolve. As a group, homeless persons are at risk to receive care that is both inadequate and unnecessarily costly.. Unresolved health, mental health, and substance use disorders undoubtedly sabotage efforts by homeless persons to rebuild their lives. Public Health Administrators work along side the homeless through case management during times of crisis or need. Establish relationships with the homeless community, to ensure they provides building skills needed to provide services to the homeless community Bates, J.H., Cave, D.M., Fowler, A.H., Foxman, B., Kong, Y., Marrs, C.F., Wilson, F., Zhenhua, Y. (2004). Identification of Risk Factors for Extra Pulmonary Tuberculosis. Clinical Infectious Diseases, 38(2) 199-205. The article examines tuberculosis cases in the United States and the increase from 1991 to 2001 and how it affects the homeless community and how it provides public health concerns for the environment Begin P, Casavant L, Chenier NM. Homelessness. Ottawa Library of Parliament, Parliamentary Research Branch, Document PRB 99-1E. Available: ww.parl.gc.ca/36/refmat/library/PR Bpubs/prb991-3.htm (accessed 2010 Nov. 20). The article discusses how homelessness is becoming a serious epidemic and how the government does little to reduce or prevent homelessness. Issues of various public health issues which affect homelessness, but also the affects which it has on the communities and health of those who are homeless. Donhoe, M. (2004) Homelessness in the United States: History, Epidemiology, Health Issues, Women and Public Policy, retrieved on November 20, 2010, from http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/481800 This article discusses the recent history and current etiologies of homelessness in the United States, presents information regarding homeless persons and their health problems, and describes steps healthcare providers can take to care for homeless patients and to try to overcome the social problem of homelessness. Encyclopedia of Public Health: Homelessness. (1998) Institute of Medicine (1998). Homelessness, Health and Human Needs. Washington, DC: National Academy Press. This book helps one to understand how homes offer protection from the elements and from a variety of health hazards and provide basic amenities such as a secure place to eat and sleep, to keep one's possessions, to raise a family, and be part of a community. Housing is a basic human need, yet the 1997 Human Development Report notes that more than 1 billion people—one-quarter of the world's population—live without shelter or in unhealthy and unacceptable conditions. Each of the issues address in the article, helps us to understand how the affects of homelessness affects the health and well being of those involved as well as the environment around them. Health and Human Rights. [Editoral]. (2009). eJournal of Health and Human Rights, 1, 1-112 The article provides information as to health and human rights of the homeless as well as how public health administrators aim to protect and defend the rights of those needing health care. Larson, G. W., Ellis, D. C., & Rivers, P. C. (1984). Essentials of chemical dependency counseling.New York, NY: Columbia University Press. The article examines chemical dependency and how to assist those who are dependent upon a control substance, especially those who are homeless. By recognizing and being able to provide counseling for these individuals, it will provide ways to help assist them. `