SHM Converge Scientific Abstract ePoster Gallery-Prevalence of Homelessness Among Hospitalized Patients: A Point-in-Time Survey

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This point-in-time survey examined homelessness and housing insecurity among hospitalized patients in the Denver Metro area, where homelessness has risen 13% since 2018 and was estimated at 6,104 people in January 2020. Because the prevalence of homelessness among hospitalized patients is not well known, physicians at Denver Health Medical Center and the University of Colorado Hospital randomly surveyed 271 patients on January 24, 2022.<br /><br />Of the patients surveyed, 70.8% were stably housed, 17.3% were housing insecure, and 11.8% were homeless. Overall, 29% of surveyed patients were experiencing housing insecurity or homelessness. Among these patients, many had significant health and social burdens: 49.4% had physical disabilities, 69.6% had chronic medical conditions, 38% had mental health conditions, and 39% reported substance use. The most common reason for housing insecurity was that the cost of living was too high, reported by 72%.<br /><br />Demographically, the group was 66% male, 27% female, and 1% non-conforming, with some missing gender data. By race, 54% were White, 17% African American, 10% Native American, and 19% other; 34% identified as Hispanic/Latinx and 61% as non-Hispanic/Latinx, with some missing ethnicity data.<br /><br />The survey highlights homelessness as a growing crisis with major effects on hospitalized patients and hospital systems. The authors conclude that expanded access to affordable housing, along with supportive medical, behavioral health, and substance use services, is critical to address the problem.

Asset Subtitle

Julie M. Knoeckel

Meta Tag

Author List Amanda v. Johnson, Ellen Sarcone, Erin Bredenberg, Gregory Misky, John M. CUNNINGHAM, Julie M. Knoeckel, Katie E. Raffel, Lauren McBeth, Neelam Mistry, Sarah A. Stella

Category Research

Concept Homelessness

Concept Housing Insecurity

Concept Hospitalized Patients

Concept Point-in-Time Survey

Concept Affordable Housing

Distinguished Non-Finalist

Presenter Organization Denver Health Medical Center

Presenting Author Julie M. Knoeckel

Track Other

Keywords

homelessness

housing insecurity

hospitalized patients

Denver Metro

affordable housing

chronic medical conditions

mental health conditions

substance use

point-in-time survey

health disparities

Homelessness

Housing Insecurity

Hospitalized Patients

Point-in-Time Survey

Affordable Housing