The federal Health Care for the Homeless (HCH) program was initiated in 1987 to provide health services for people experiencing homelessness in the United States. This program served 437,900 homeless individuals in 1998 through a variety of outreach methods, service sites, and referral agencies. The recently released 1996 National Survey of Homeless Assistance Providers and Clients provides a profile of the users of homeless assistance programs and allows comparison with program data from Health Care for the Homeless program users. Data on sociodemographics, access to health care, health conditions, and health care utilization were examined within both data sets. Significant differences were found between the national sample of homeless people and HCH users with regard to age, race, housing status, insurance status, reported health conditions, and the place where health services are received. This analysis will describe the implications of these findings for health care programs directed toward homeless people.
Learning Objectives: Participants will be able to: 1. Identify national and federal HCH program population characteristics, how they differ and reasons why. 2. Gain a better understanding of the federal HCH program. 3. Understand the policy implications of the comparison of the national and federal HCH populations
Keywords: Homeless Health Care, Homelessness
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.