Effects of housing on homeless individuals' glycemic control

• Main Author: Hopkins, Andrew
• Other Authors: Mcgreevy, Jolion
• Language: en_US
• Published: 2018
• Subjects: Medicine; Diabetes; Homeless; Housing
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/2144/32967

Homelessness has long been a part of society and is defined by a lack of permanent residence. The approach to homelessness has varied with time and recently an effort has been made to eradicate it in the United States. Several studies have shown the deleterious effects of homelessness on an individual’s health and the cost it brings to society. Others have demonstrated improvements in cost when these individuals are provided “low threshold housing.” Low threshold housing is an approach which seeks to house individuals without many of the requirements previously in place, such as sobriety or employment. This is becoming more widely implemented. The effect of low threshold housing on specific common health conditions remains to be seen. Diabetes is an extremely common health concern which affects both the housed and homeless equally, however, it is markedly more difficult to address while homeless. This study will seek to evaluate the effects of housing upon homeless individuals diabetic control. A cohort of newly housed individuals with poorly controlled diabetes will be selected and their glycemic control documented for the year following housing. Glycemic control will be measured via an individual’s Hemoglobin A1C at 3-month intervals. The values will be compared and evaluated for significant change. This information will allow us to evaluate the effects of housing on this common medical condition and to make appropriate changes to policy going forward.