Vulnerable Population

Vulnerable Population: Homeless Women with Substance Abuse Issues

What They Need- Access to primary care- Access to gynocological screening, birth control and feminie hygine products- Access to counsaling, rehab and treatment options- Safe housing

Facts-Over half a million American are homeless- Women and families with single mothers as head of household are the largest growing homeless population-Women are more likely to be rapes, assaulted and harassed in shelters and on the streets

Objectives on How to Help(1) Mobile vans that bring health care to the homeless women. Provinding health screenings, physicals, counsaling, referrals for community services.(2) Funding for organizations that assist those that are unable to pay with thier substance abuse treatment

Role of Health Informatics- Population health software: Using patietn exchange data to track patient activity throughout inpatient and outpatient care settings- Providing easy to use cell phone: Providing phone to stay connected, reminder for health appointments, connectivity to pcp providers

Steps- Partner with lobby organizations and PAC's to advocate for the needs of homeless women to law makers- Allocate State tax money to fund housing organizations for women- Partner with community organizations to increase outreach abilities and stratagies on fundraising activities

Plan- Permananent funding from Federal govenment to allocate 5 mobile vans to community organizations that see the highest number of homless patients. - Creating a safe space where women can live without the threat of violence against them. Facilities should be geared towards the unique strugles of women. - Provide Federal funding for people who can not afford treatment for thier substance abuse. Patient should not be turned away due to living conditions and ability to pay.

Stratagies- Use information technology to identify where the homeless hot spots are and where services are most need- Use Social Media platforms such as Twitter, Facebook and Youtube to spread the awareness of the homeless crisis and add personal connection by interviewing homeless women and sharing their stories

Potential Barriers- Lack of funding- People not agreeing that the homeless are important population to give funds to- Insurance/Financial Evaluation- Was there a drop in homeless women rate dropped- How many women were enrolled in the housing program_ How many women were enrolled in the substance abuse program