title: Homelessness and health in adolescents.
abstract: Despite an abundance of resources, many of the world's wealthiest nations have a large homeless population. People at all stages of development are affected by this problem, but adolescents who are homeless face a unique set of challenges. In this critical narrative study the authors examined the experiences of homeless adolescents with particular attention to the role of gender and public policy, health experiences and perceptions, and barriers to health care services. Six girls and 7 boys participated in semistructured dialogic interviews. Their stories revealed that living without a home had a substantial impact on their health and wellness. The findings from this study support the need for health care professionals to work in collaboration with homeless youth so that more effective care that is sensitive to their unique health needs can be provided.
authors.affiliation: The University of Western Ontario, School of Nursing, London, Canada.
authors.forename: Amy M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Haldenby
authors.forename: Helene
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Berman
authors.forename: Cheryl
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Forchuk
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D016497:Adolescent Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D005260:Female; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D054625:Healthcare Disparities; D018453:Homeless Youth / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D033262:Narration; D020380:Needs Assessment; D009864:Ontario; D011203:Poverty; D011640:Public Policy; D012449:Safety; D012737:Sex Factors; D012946:Social Welfare; D014504:Urban Health