Population Chosen
- The chosen population is homeless people.
- Homelessness is a common thing in America
- There are both young and old homeless people in America
- Homelessness is never a personal choice.
- Homeless people live in the streets.
The Vulnerable Population
- Homeless do not have a permanent home
- Some homeless people sleep in a shelter or hotel
- An individual is considered homeless if they sleep in their car
- Homeless are relatively poor people
- They do not have access to basic amenities
Current Population Demographics
- By 2018, more than five hundred thousand people in America were considered homeless
- Thirty-five percent of homeless people were unsheltered
- Sixty-five percent of homeless people had shelter
- The overall homeless population consists of 0.2 percent of the total US population
- Out of 10,000 people, 17 are homeless
Background of the Problem, And Its Effect on Public Health
- Lack of affordable housing causes homelessness
- Homeless people are in most cases poor
- When people leave prison after years of conviction, most become homeless
- On rare occasions, those who retire from the army with no home become homeless
- Most homeless people are do not have jobs
- With regards to public health, homeless people have high rates of HIV infections
- When one is homeless they can suffer from communicable diseases like TB which can affect the general public.
The Cultural Background of the Selected Population and Any Relevant History about the Population
- The origin of homelessness can be traced back to colonial America
- A majority of the homeless people lived in urban towns (Ravenhill, 2016).
- The great depression increased the number of homeless people in America due to poverty
- The destruction of low income neighborhoods to expand cities contributed to homelessness
- Historically, there are people who prefer being homeless
The Psychosocial Concerns and/or Norms of the Population
- The homeless are affected by depression
- The other concern is anxiety and pressures of life.
- Homeless people are victims to violence, either gang violence or police brutality.
- Females who are homeless are often subjected to sexual abuse
- Homeless always worry about family problems.
The Economic Concerns of the Population Including, But Not Limited To, Income Levels, Educational Levels and Occupation
- Homelessness cannot exist in an economic vacuum
- Economic depression that leads to reduced incomes
- Technology-driven unemployment, which has caused thousands to lose their jobs
- An economic boom, which triggers prices in the real estate market (Padgett et al., 2016).
- Economic recession that leads to a decline in housing market
Specific Health Concerns of the Population
- Lung diseases like pneumonia and tuberculosis
- The homesless suffer from mental health problems including depression
- Substance abuse problems, most homeless people are into drug use
- Malnutrition due to lack of balanced diet
- Skin and wound infections that expose them to skin cancer or skin diseases
Specific Risk Factors for Target Population
- Young and older homeless people are victim to victimization
- Older homeless suffer more from physical symptoms
- The rates of psychiatric disorders in homeless have been increased
- Rate of chemical abuse is higher in older homeless people
- Half of homeless people suffer a risk of imprisonment
Prevention and Control of Health Concerns and Risk Factors (Primary, Secondary and Tertiary)
- Primary prevention can be immunization of the homeless.
- Secondary prevention and control involves screening the homeless for illnesses.
- Diagnosis to prevent the onset of illness before the disease begins (Sklar, Messer and Valvassori, 2017).
- Tertiary prevention can involve educating the homeless on ways to protect themselves.
- Re-educating them on the value of living a healthy life.
The Role of the Public Health Nurse in Caring For Vulnerable Populations
- The nurse can provide foot wear to prevent foot infection.
- The nurse should offer foot care clinics at the homeless shelter.
- The nurse can offer frost bite checks for the homeless (Sklar et al., 2017).
- The nurse can donate female hygiene products.
- The nurse should work for social change.
Core Functions of Public Health
- Monitor health status of the homeless and make sure they identify community health problems
- Diagnose and identify health problems, and offer necessary treatment for the homesless.
- Mobilize community partnerships, this can help come up with solutions to homelessness.
- Inform, empower, and educate the homeless on prevailing health issues.
- Enforce laws and regulations that protect health and ensure safety of the homeless.
Three Local Agencies/Facilities Delivering Services to the Target
- Covenant House, provides food, shelter, crisis and health care services to the homeless.
- Habitat for Humanity, which provides home for the homeless.
- New York City Department of Homeless Services, the organization is part of the government that offers aid to the homeless (Allen, 2018).
Additional Resources Needed In the Community
- The government should build more cheap homes to accommodate the homeless.
- Government should also increase health coverage for people who are homeless.
- Beddings, mattresses, and other personal items should be availed for the homeless.
- For those who cannot afford food, feeding programs can be implemented in their communities.
- Public healthcare should be availed for the homeless, and a dispensary would be ideal in such a situation (Allen, 2018).
References
Allen, J. (2018). Homelessness in American Literature: Romanticism, Realism and Testimony. Routledge.
Padgett, D., Henwood, B. F., & Tsemberis, S. J. (2016). Housing First: Ending homelessness, transforming systems, and changing lives. Oxford University Press, USA.
Ravenhill, M. (2016). The culture of homelessness. Routledge.
Sklar, E., Messer, K. D., & Valvassori, P. (2017). Homelessness and Health. Springer.