Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #108148

Elaine Fox, MA¹, Deborah McMillan, MSW², and Abdul Beraima, PhD¹. (1) Philadelphia Health Management Corporation, 260 South Broad Street, 18th Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19102, (2) Specialized Health Services, Philadelphia Health Management Corporation, 260 South Broad Street, 18th Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19102, 215-985-2559, ingrid@phmc.org

National attention has recently focused on the needs of chronically homeless single adults, particularly those with behavioral health issues; mental health and substance abuse problems. One measure of “chronic homelessness” is repeated shelter stays; the official HUD definition is “more than one long-term shelter stay.” Although special housing and support service programs have targeted men, there are many families as well who have experienced more than one shelter stay and need special, more intensive interventions.

Philadelphia Health Management Corporation (PHMC) is a non-profit public health organization in Philadelphia that conducts research and evaluation, provides technical assistance to other organizations and provides direct services to at-risk populations. Though its Health Care for the Homeless Program, health services and social services have been provided to homeless adults and families since 1985.

This presentation will investigate the special needs of “repeat users” by comparing the characteristics of homeless families who have experienced more than one episode of homelessness. Data will be obtained from the HCH database that includes a comprehensive background questionnaire administered to all clients at intake. A comparison will be made of factors related to homelessness, physical and behavioral health, education and employment histories and information on children's health status. Although most families are female-headed African American households, significant differences in “repeat” users' health status and use of resources is evident. This presentation will show these differences as well as discuss implications for social service delivery and the improvement of health care status.

Learning Objectives:

• Not available at this time.

Keywords: Homeless Health Care,

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.