title: Providing health care services to the formerly homeless: a quasi-experimental evaluation.
abstract: We performed a quasi-experiment to assess the effects of a focused health care intervention delivered in transitional housing facilities in Sacramento, California. Four transitional housing facilities (THFs) receiving the intervention were compared with 2 THFs that did not receive it. A multidisciplinary team provided a diverse package of services to residents at the intervention sites. Residents at comparison sites received usual care. Survey and physical examination data were collected in repeated cross-sectional surveys at baseline (pre-intervention) and after 6 and 18 months of follow-up (post-intervention). Using analysis of covariance techniques, our statistical models showed improved odds of receiving recommended gynecologic preventive care and decreased odds of frequent Emergency Department use at 18 months among residents at the intervention sites. At 6 months, residents at the intervention sites also experienced improved blood pressure control. There was no intervention effect on residents' access to specialists or on physical functioning, mental health, or dental health.
authors.affiliation: Massachusetts General Hospital, USA. aciaranello@partners.org
authors.forename: Andrea L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Ciaranello
authors.forename: Fred
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Molitor
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Leamon
authors.forename: Christina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kuenneth
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Tancredi
authors.forename: Allison L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Diamant
authors.forename: Richard L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Kravitz
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002140:California; D003376:Counseling; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006208:Halfway Houses / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006703:Ill-Housed Persons; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010348:Patient Care Team; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012947:Social Work