The Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program: a public health framework.
During the past 25 years, the Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program has evolved into a service model embodying the core functions and essential services of public health. Each year the program provides integrated medical, behavioral, and oral health care, as well as preventive services, to more than 11 000 homeless people. Services are delivered in clinics located in 2 teaching hospitals, 80 shelters and soup kitchens, and an innovative 104-bed medical respite unit. We explain the program's principles of care, describe the public health framework that undergirds the program, and offer lessons for the elimination of health disparities suffered by this vulnerable population.
O'Connell
James J
JJ
Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program, MA 02118, USA. joconnell@bhchp.org
Oppenheimer
Sarah C
SC
Judge
Christine M
CM
Taube
Robert L
RL
Blanchfield
Bonnie B
BB
Swain
Stacy E
SE
Koh
Howard K
HK
D001900:Boston; D003151:Community Health Centers / Q000458:organization & administration*; D003256:Community Participation; D003159:Community-Institutional Relations; D003191:Comprehensive Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration; D003266:Continuity of Patient Care / Q000458:organization & administration; D006287:Health Planning Guidelines; D054625:Healthcare Disparities; D006703:Ill-Housed Persons / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D017057:Medically Uninsured / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017146:Models, Organizational; D020380:Needs Assessment; D010686:Philosophy, Medical; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration; D011634:Public Health / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D019037:Urban Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D035862:Vulnerable Populations / Q000706:statistics & numerical data