Disparities in housing status among veterans with general medical, cognitive, and behavioral health conditions.
OBJECTIVE
The study explored disparities in housing status among veterans with general medical, cognitive, and behavioral health conditions.


METHODS
Multinomial mixed-effects models estimated the relationship between medical, cognitive, and behavioral health comorbidities and housing instability among veterans enrolled in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) (N=1,582,125) who responded to the Homelessness Screening Clinical Reminder for homelessness and risk during a three-month period.


RESULTS
Veterans were two or more times as likely to screen positive for homelessness or risk if they had a diagnosis of a cognitive or behavioral health conditions in the study. Findings related to general medical conditions were inconsistent.


CONCLUSIONS
The study found disparities in housing instability among VHA outpatients with cognitive and behavioral health conditions, suggesting the need to identify veterans with these conditions experiencing housing instability and the need to develop appropriate interventions to mitigate homelessness or risk.
Dr. Montgomery is with the National Center on Homelessness Among Veterans, and Dr. Dichter, Dr. Thomasson, and Mr. Roberts are with the Center for Health Equity Research and Promotion, all at the Philadelphia Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center (e-mail: ann.montgomery2@va.gov ). Dr. Byrne is with the Boston University School of Social Work, Boston.
Ann Elizabeth
AE
Montgomery
Melissa E
ME
Dichter
Arwin M
AM
Thomasson
Christopher Brent
CB
Roberts
Thomas
T
Byrne
D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D054624:Health Status Disparities; D006703:Ill-Housed Persons / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006798:Housing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D014728:Veterans / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*