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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Lucille M. Rayford, RN, BSN, MSNc, Nursing Education and Professional Development Unit, Los Angeles County Public Health Nursing Administration, 241 N. Figueroa Street, Room 347, Los Angeles, CA 90012, 213-989-7197, lrayford@ladhs.org

Los Angeles County has been identified as the homeless capital of the United States. On any given night there are approximately 90,000 homeless individuals in Los Angeles County. Forty thousand are women and 10,000 are youth 12 -17 years of age. In a small eight block section of downtown Los Angeles, known as “Central City East” or “Skid Row”, homelessness among women is increasing at a rapid rate and reaching epidemic proportions. Between 1995 and 1997 there was a 228% increase in the number of women requesting shelter beds. The East Team Public Health Nurses (PHNs) who provide service to this geographic area resolved to systematically assess the health status and underlying determinants of health in this population. The PHNs have also resolved to enhance working relationships with homeless women, community leaders, and businesses in the area to develop strategies to improve health and living conditions of the target population. In September 2003, the East Team PHNs conducted a study utilizing an assessment tool based on the ten leading indictors of Healthy People 2010 and a questionnaire created by PHNs in collaboration with epidemiology to assess health and health needs of the homeless women. Several key determinates of homeless, and barriers to improving health status were identified in this study. The inability to secure employment and save money were identified as key determinates and barriers to change in homeless status. Underlying barriers to health included mental health issues, drug addiction, immigration status and lack of knowledge regarding resources. This presentation will demonstrate the PHN assessment process, survey methodology, the importance of key PHN interventions and provide recommendations to improve the health of this population at the individual, community and systems level.

Learning Objectives: By the end of the presentation participants will be able to

• Recognize barriers that contribute to the cycle of homelessness among women. • Identify barriers to accessing health care for homeless women. • Identify short term and long term recommendation to improve access to health care among homeless women.

Learning Objectives:

• Recognize barriers that contribute to the cycle of homelessness among women.
• Identify barriers to accessing health care for homeless women.
• Identify short and long term recommendation to improve access to health care among homeless women.

Keywords: Access to Health Care, Homelessness

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Not Answered