title: The role of the emergency department in the care of homeless and disadvantaged populations.
abstract: This article provides an overview of the role of the emergency department (ED) in the care of homeless and disadvantaged populations. It suggests that organized emergency medicine can have a significant impact on total community health by maintaining a universal "safety net" for the delivery of integrated health and human services. The epidemiology of social deprivation among ED patients is examined, with a particular focus on homelessness. Current research on the value of socio-medical integration in the ED setting is discussed, with emphasis on selected initiatives that have demonstrated feasibility, cost-effectiveness, and impact.
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, MetroWest Medical Center, Framingham Union Hospital, Framingham, MA 01702, USA. DMorris@quantech.net
authors.forename: David M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Morris
authors.forename: James A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Gordon
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000401:mortality; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006703:Ill-Housed Persons / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017057:Medically Uninsured / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011203:Poverty; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology