Overview
Homelessness and housing insecurity are significant global public health concerns that continue to be poorly understood phenomena. Using novel methods of detecting patients that face homelessness and housing insecurity in large datasets of routinely collected electronic health information, our research broadly examines these phenomena across the lifespan. The complex interplay between medical, psychiatric, and social factors raises many questions about how these patients engage with, and fair when encountering, healthcare systems. Because this population have characteristically had increased mortality from a multitude of health conditions and lower life expectancy than the general population, we have worked to develop stratified mortality risk models that will hopefully be of use to healthcare systems looking to target this outcome for this population. Our work also examines other vulnerable sub-populations within this large heterogeneous group that range from the pediatric to the geriatric population facing late-life homelessness, and their patterns of healthcare utilization. Furthermore, our research focuses on systems level issues this population faces, and is engaged in multiple pilot projects and other interventions that range from universal screening for housing insecurity at healthcare appointments, transportation for follow up appointments, and housing bridge programs for admitted patients facing homelessness.
Contact Information
Jeremy Weleff, DO
weleffj@ccf.org
Funding Sources
Catalyst Awards, Philanthropy Institute
