The homeless: social isolates.
Within the last 10 years, homelessness has emerged as one of the leading social problems in the United States. This article contains the findings of a descriptive study of the characteristics and health status of a homeless population in a southeastern city. The homeless population is of interest to nurses because it is representative of a specific disadvantaged group, seriously at risk for a myriad of physical and mental problems. The theoretical model, Social Disaffiliation, can serve as a basis for intervention with a variety of underserved or unserved population groups and the data presented provide opportunities for designing nursing intervention strategies. The study was conceived as a way to gather empirical evidence about the specific health-care needs of the community's homeless, to generate a data base on which to estimate that need, and to use the findings to support the establishment of an innovative practice model, a nurse-managed clinic. The literature suggests that on-site clinics, located in emergency shelters, are effective approaches to providing acceptable and accessible health care to the homeless. Nurses are well prepared to be a key part of the solution to one of the most serious problems facing health care in the U.S. today.
Malloy
C
C
Christ
M A
MA
Hohloch
F J
FJ
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000554:Ambulatory Care Facilities / Q000458:organization & administration; D005260:Female; D006296:Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006302:Health Services Research; D006304:Health Status; D006703:Ill-Housed Persons / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009732:Nursing Care; D012934:Social Isolation; D015144:Southeastern United States; D014505:Urban Population