156600 Health, Employment Status, and Urban Homelessness

Tuesday, November 6, 2007: 3:10 PM

Nadra C. Tyus, DrPH , Urban Health Institute, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
M. Christopher Gibbons, MD, MPH , Urban Health Institute, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
  
Background: Conventional wisdom suggests that most workers in the United States have a stable place to live and that most homeless individuals are unemployed.

Objectives: To examine the relationship between homelessness and health and employment status among a low-income, urban population.

Methods: A 62 item questionnaire was administered to 1031 East Baltimore, MD adults. These adults were surveyed as part of outreach initiatives by community health workers (CHWs) to improve quality access to the healthcare system.

Results: In this sample, ages ranged from 18-70 (mean = 41.3). Sixty four percent of the sample were male and approximately 30% were employed. Among this sample, 191 (19%) individuals were currently homeless. Homeless individuals reported high rates of cigarette smoking (78%), illicit drug use (47%), and substance use (35%). Thirty nine percent reported a past STI, 16% sought help with asthma, and 11% reported being discriminated against or denied treatment at a healthcare institution. Also, more than 28% of homeless individuals were currently employed.

Conclusions: Among this low income urban population, significant proportions of those who were employed were also homeless. This study suggests that urban, homeless individuals may be increasingly the working poor. If confirmed, this may have significant health and financial implications for urban employers.

Learning Objectives:
At the conclusion of this session, participants will be able to: 1. Discuss potential shifts in the demographics of urban homelessness. 2. Outline employer and healthcare system implications of an increasing homeless workforce. 3. Discuss employer options for addressing the needs of homeless employees.

Keywords: Homeless, Urban Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No
Any institutionally-contracted trials related to this submission?

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

See more of: Priorities and Challenges in Conducting Research with Homeless Populations, Including Consumer Involvement
See more of: Caucus on Homelessness