“of all the forms of inequality, injustice in health care is the most shocking and inhumane.”...
TRANSCRIPT
“Of all the forms of inequality, injustice in health care is the most shocking and inhumane.” Martin Luther
King, Jr.
Addressing barriers to healthcare that exist for homeless communities in Seattle
Jacqui HermerCo-founder and Director, Education Transforming Community Health
Education Transforming Community Health
(ETCH)
Political education program for health science students
Health education program for homeless communities
Create hour-long health classes that focus on prevention and harm-reduction.
ETCH
Founded in 2008
Project of Al Shifa Health Resource Center and Students in the Community, UW
Group of health science students and graduates that have partnered with community organizations
Operate out of Urban Rest Stop and Compass Center’s Adult Day Center
Provide weekly classes, alternating at each site
Scope of Homelessness in King County
(One Night Count, Jan 2010)
8,937: People counted homeless in KC in Jan 2010
2,759: Found sleeping outside without shelter
34% of those in shelter: Children aged 0-17
11% in shelters: Young Adults aged 18-25
80% in the shelters: Reported last permanent address within the KC
Why are folks homeless?
Why are folks homeless?
High cost and shortage of housingPoverty, joblessness, education, and literacyDomestic violence
44% of youth report as reason for leaving home
Effects of mental illness and chemical addiction
Institutional discharge to homelessnessLegal IssuesAccess to healthcare
2007, 45.7 US citizens (15.3% of pop) did not have health insurance
Institutional RacismLack of Community Supports
For people under 65 in WA, insurance covered by employers declined by 3.6% from 66.6% to 63%During the same period, state-supported public health insurance programs increased usage by 2.3% from 13.2% to 15.5%.
Systemic barriers to healthcare
Poor health is both a cause and effect of homelessness
Budget Cuts
Lack of prevention services
Lack of health insurance
Nutrient content in affordable/available foods
Lack of distributive care
Attitudes/assumptions of HC providers
Lack of access to housing
Under/Unemployment
Lack of mental health services
Medicaid restrictions
ID requirements
Cost of transportation
FORMS
Common Health Complaints
Foot Problems
Mental Health and Stress relief
Diabetes
Blood Pressure Checks
Vision
Dental
Where can I get care?
What conditions you’ll see most commonly diagnosed in
a hospitalHeart disease
Cancer
Liver disease
Kidney disease
Skin infections
Diabetes
Hypertension
Frostbite
HIV/AIDS
Pneumonia,
Tuberculosis
Hepatitis
Some ways to break down barriers
Listen and respond to what someone identifies as their needs
Someone who fits the category of “vulnerable population” is not worthless or knowledge-less
Person-first language
Prioritize relationships
Take time and be flexible
Meet folks where they are at
Some more ways…
Continue to learn about your herstory and that of the communities you work with
Be an advocate on a local and national level
Focus on harm reduction and prevention
Prioritize collaboration with community members and respected community programs
Work towards universal access to quality and comprehensive health care
Solidarity
Solidarity
[Ultimately] this work is not about you, or me, or any one of us. It’s about building a world where all of the structures that keep people down don’t exist anymore, and where any human being among us has the power to decide, for real, how they will live their own life. Right? And for that to even begin to happen in a legitimate way, we need to own up to our role in that whole process. How we help it along, and how we stand in its way.
Catherine Jones, MD
Co-founder, Latino Health Outreach Project
Collective Liberation"If you have come to help me, you are wasting your time; but if you are here because your liberation is bound up with mine, then let us work together." Lilla Watson, Aboriginal artist, activist, and academic
References
http://budgetandpolicy.org/schmudget/new-census-data-show-importance-of-public-health-insurance-programs
http://www.cehkc.org/
http://www.urbanreststop.org/
http://www.kingcounty.gov/healthservices/health/budget.aspx
http://www.nationalhomeless.org/factsheets/health.html
http://www.homelessinfo.org/
Questions and ConversationLet’s talk.