Eviction as a Disruptive Factor in Health Care Utilization: Impact on Hospital Readmissions and No-show Rates

摘要

Background. Residential eviction is a component of housing instability that negatively affects physical and mental health, but the effect of eviction on health care utilization, specifically hospital readmissions and outpatient no-show rates, is not known. Methods. We conducted a retrospective review of health care utilization of individuals evicted from public housing between January 2013 and December 2017, investigating hospital readmissions and no-show rates one year before and after eviction. Results. 131 individuals who had been evicted had one year of data pre- and post-eviction. The majority were African American (97.7) and female (80.9). There was no significant change in 30-, 60-, and 90-day hospital readmissions (p>.05). No-show rate decreased from 27.57 per person per year to 20.13 (p=.05). Conclusions. For our study population, health care utilization was not disrupted. The decreased no-show rate represents an opportunity for health systems to engage with patients on social factors affecting their health post-eviction.