Will Health Care Reform Increase Access for the Homeless? Some communities say 'yes, 'but more needs to be done, and nurses can help.

摘要

The risk of being uninsured in this country is highest among those on the lowest rungs of the economic ladder, and it's a sad truth that the majority of homeless Americans lack any type of coverage. Being homeless puts a person at high risk for a variety of health problems, but homelessness and health care are intertwined. Poor health can be both a cause and a result of living on the streets or in shelters, and the National Health Care for the Homeless Council (NHCHC) notes that 70% of its clients don't have health insurance. The overall health of homeless people in the United States is worse than that of the general population; issues commonly encountered include mental health problems, substance abuse, bronchitis, pneumonia, and wound and skin infections.