The Community Health Nursing Implications of the Self‐Reported Health Status of a Local Homeless Population

Abstract

This study explored the personal characteristics and the health and health-related concerns reported by members of the local homeless population in order to design population-specific health programming. The study also examined whether there were significant differences between homeless who are shelter residents and those who are not. An exploratory descriptive design was used to analyze retrospective data collected by a local County Health Department in interviews of 132 homeless adults. The demographic characteristics found reflect many common patterns: marked over-representation of males, mean age in the mid-thirties, education levels comparable to similar socio-economic groups, high unemployment rates, and low health insurance rates. One third of the sample reported self-assessed health statuses of fair or poor. The most frequently identified physical health issue was joint problems, followed by cardiovascular disease. Depression was mentioned most frequently as a self-identified mental health problem. Loneliness was the number one fear identified. Chi Square analysis showed that homeless who did not stay in shelters were significantly longer term residents (p < 0.0001) of the community and reported fear of loneliness significantly more frequently (p < 0.01). This study identifies health concerns that local homeless people themselves find important and provides direction for development of sound population-specific health programming.

Self-Transcendence and Well-Being in Homeless Adults

“…Ratner, Johnson, and Jeffery (1998) found that people who rate their health status usually consider only their physical health, so for this study, health status was conceptualized as a physical health variable. Reichenbach, McNamee, and Seibel (1998) grouped descriptive results from an inquiry into the health status of homeless adults into two categories: poor/fair (37%) and good/excellent (63%). Clarke, Williams, Percy, and Kim's (1995) inquiry into the health status of homeless persons produced similar results.…”

Predictors of Perceived Health Status of Tuberculosis-Infected Homeless

“…Later studies support these findings: White, Tulsky, Dawson, Zolopa, and Moss (1997) reported that homeless individuals with physical or mental health problems were three times more likely than the general population in the United States to rate their health as fair or poor. Wojtusik and White (1998), and Reichenbach, McNamee, and Seibel (1998) also found that in the 37% to 50% of homeless persons self-rating health as fair and poor, most had physical and mental health problems. African Americans in particular report lower health status than Whites (Kington & Smith, 1997) as well as lower levels of well-being (Schulz et al, 2001).…”