Recent Homelessness Research Articles

Understanding disparities in access to naloxone among people who inject drugs in Southeast Michigan using respondent driven sampling

BackgroundGiven the rising incidence of opioid overdose in the United States, naloxone access is critical for high-risk populations, such as persons who inject drugs (PWID). Yet not all PWID have access to this life-saving antidote. With PWID in Michigan recruited via respondent driven sampling in 2017, after the 2016 standing order expanding naloxone availability through local pharmacies, we explored possible access disparities. MethodsWith 46 seeds recruited from agencies serving local PWID communities, we obtained a sample of N = 410 PWID from Southeast Michigan (n = 285 form urban Detroit, and 125 for suburban/rural areas outside Detroit). Participants completed questionnaires detailing socio-demographics, health history, substance use and treatment access, including naloxone. We used multiple logistic regression to examine the predictors of self-reported naloxone access based on participant characteristics (e.g., demographics, health status) and geography (urban vs. suburban/rural). ResultsSelf-reported naloxone access differed significantly by location (urban = 18.3 %; suburban/rural = 41.9 %). In multivariable analyses, naloxone access was significantly associated with race, household income, employment, health insurance, recent homelessness, prescription opioid usage, Hepatitis A and C status, Hepatitis A vaccination, Hepatitis C testing, access to drug treatment and services, and hospital as the usual place of care. ConclusionDespite recent policies to expand access, our results indicate that naloxone access among high-risk PWID is low. This warrants future research to identify effective channels to reduce barriers and increase naloxone access.

More than just availability: Who has access and who administers take-home naloxone in Baltimore, MD.

Fatal opioid overdose is a pressing public health concern in the United States. Addressing barriers and augmenting facilitators to take-home naloxone (THN) access and administration could expand program reach in preventing fatal overdoses. THN access (i.e., being prescribed or receiving THN) was assessed in a Baltimore, Maryland-based sample of 577 people who use opioids (PWUO) and had a history of injecting drugs. A sub-analysis examined correlates of THN administration among those with THN access and who witnessed an overdose (N = 345). Logistic generalized estimating equations with robust standard errors were used to identify facilitators and barriers to accessing and using THN. The majority of PWUO (66%) reported THN access. In the multivariable model, decreased THN access was associated with the fear that a person may become aggressive after being revived with THN (aOR: 0.55, 95% CI: 0.35-0.85), police threaten people at an overdose event (aOR: 0.68, 95% CI: 0.36-1.00), and insufficient overdose training (aOR: 0.43, 95% CI: 0.28-0.68). Enrollment in medication-assisted treatment, personally experiencing an overdose, and graduating from high school were associated with higher access. About half (49%) of PWUO with THN access and who had witnessed an overdose reported having administered THN. THN use was positively associated with "often" or "always" carrying THN (aOR: 3.47, 95% CI: 1.99-6.06), witnessing more overdoses (aOR:5.18, 95% CI: 2.22-12.07), experiencing recent homelessness, and injecting in the past year. THN use was reduced among participants who did not feel that they had sufficient overdose training (aOR: 0.56, 95% CI: 0.32-0.96). THN programs must bolster confidence in administering THN and address barriers to use, such as fear of a THN recipient becoming aggressive. Normative change around carrying THN is an important component in an overdose prevention strategy.

From peer-based to peer-led: redefining the role of peers across the hepatitis C care pathway: HepCare Europe.

BackgroundHCV infection disproportionately affects underserved populations such as homeless individuals, people who inject drugs and prison populations. Peer advocacy can enable active engagement with healthcare services and increase the likelihood of favourable treatment outcomes.ObjectivesThis observational study aims to assess the burden of disease in these underserved populations and describe the role of peer support in linking these individuals to specialist treatment services.MethodsServices were identified if they had a high proportion of individuals with risk factors for HCV, such as injecting drug use or homelessness. Individuals were screened for HCV using point-of-care tests and a portable FibroScan. All positive cases received peer support for linkage to specialist care. Information was gathered on risk factors, demographics and follow-up information regarding linkage to care and treatment outcomes.ResultsA total of 461 individuals were screened, of which 197 (42.7%) were chronically infected with HCV. Referral was made to secondary care for 176 (89.3%) and all received peer support, with 104 (52.8%) individuals engaged with treatment centres. Of these, 89 (85.6%) started treatment and 76 (85.4%) had a favourable outcome. Factors associated with not being approved for treatment were recent homelessness, younger age and current crack cocaine injecting.ConclusionsHighly trained peer support workers working as part of a specialist outreach clinical team help to identify a high proportion of individuals exposed to HCV, achieve high rates of engagement with treatment services and maintain high rates of treatment success amongst a population with complex needs.

Mental health, substance use and HIV risk behaviors among HIV-positive adults who experienced homelessness in the United States – Medical Monitoring Project, 2009–2015

ABSTRACTHomelessness is a challenge to retention in HIV care and adherence to antiretroviral therapy. We describe the sociodemographic and behavioral characteristics of HIV-positive adults who reported recent homelessness. The Medical Monitoring Project is a complex sample survey of HIV-positive adults receiving medical care in the United States. We used weighted interview and medical record data collected from June 2009 to May 2015 to estimate the prevalence of depression, substance use, and HIV risk behaviors among adults experiencing recent homelessness. From 2009 to 2015, 8.3% of HIV-positive adults experienced recent homelessness. Homeless adults were more likely than housed adults to have major depression, to binge drink, use non-injection drugs, use injection drugs, and smoke. Over 60% of homeless adults were sexually active during the past year, with homeless adults reporting more condomless sex with an HIV-negative or unknown status sex partner than housed adults. Programs attempting to improve the health outcomes of HIV-positive homeless persons and reduce ongoing HIV transmission can focus on providing basic needs, such as housing, and ancillary services, such as mental health counseling or substance abuse treatment and counseling.

Severe Food Insecurity, Gender-Based Violence, Homelessness, and HIV Risk among Street-based Female Sex Workers in Baltimore, Maryland.

Despite established links between food insecurity and HIV outcomes, no studies have examined the role of food insecurity among female sex workers (FSW) in the United States (US). The aim of this exploratory study was to identify correlates (structural vulnerability and health factors) of severe food insecurity among street-based FSW in Baltimore, Maryland using multivariable logistic regression. In adjusted models, FSW with severe food insecurity were at greater odds of recent homelessness, physical intimate partner violence, client condom refusal, and HIV infection. Multi-sectoral approaches must take into consideration the co-occurrence of structural and health vulnerabilities to food insecurity among FSW in the US, including those that address violence, housing, and HIV.

Risk Factors for Bed Bugs Among Urban Emergency Department Patients.

Bed bugs are a significant and under-studied public health nuisance. We surveyed 706 emergency department patients and found bed bug infestations were more likely (p < 0.05) among subjects having persons 19-64years of age in the house, living in a group home, a previous history with bed bugs, and knowing someone who currently has bed bugs. Sleeping in a hotel, recent homelessness, obtaining used clothing or furniture and using a laundromat were not associated with increased risk (p > 0.05) for infestation. Individuals with less education and income were more likely (p < 0.05) to have bed bugs and express concern about getting bed bugs. Younger persons were more likely to correctly identify a picture of a bed bug compared to those over the age of 60years (p < 0.001).

Sociodemographic factors and social determinants associated with toxicology confirmed polysubstance opioid-related deaths

Background and aimsWhile prescribed and illicit opioid use are primary drivers of the national surges in overdose deaths, opioid overdose deaths in which stimulants are also present are increasing in the U.S. We determined the social determinants and sociodemographic factors associated with opioid-only versus polysubstance opioid overdose deaths in Massachusetts. Particular attention was focused on the role of stimulants in opioid overdose deaths. MethodsWe analyzed all opioid-related overdose deaths from 2014 to 2015 in an individually-linked population database in Massachusetts. We used linked postmortem toxicology data to identify drugs present at the time of death. We constructed a multinomial logistic regression model to identify factors associated with three mutually exclusive overdose death groups based on toxicological results: opioid-related deaths with (1) opioids only present, (2) opioids and other substances not including stimulants, and (3) opioids and stimulants with or without other substances. ResultsBetween 2014 and 2015, there were 2,244 opioid-related overdose deaths in Massachusetts that had accompanying toxicology results. Toxicology reports indicated that 17% had opioids only, 36% had opioids plus stimulants, and 46% had opioids plus another non-stimulant substance. Persons older than 24 years, non-rural residents, those with comorbid mental illness, non-Hispanic black residents, and persons with recent homelessness were more likely than their counterparts to die with opioids and stimulants than opioids alone. ConclusionsPolysubstance opioid overdose is increasingly common in the US. Addressing modifiable social determinants of health, including barriers to mental health services and homelessness, is important to reduce polysubstance use and overdose deaths.

The Role of Mental Health and Substance Use in Homeless Adults’ Tobacco Use and Cessation Attempts

Objective: Although tobacco use is prevalent among adults experiencing homelessness, research deficits exist regarding the mental health, substance use, and demographic correlates of tobacco use behaviors in this population. This study examined whether correlates of tobacco use among housed adults identified by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) were significant correlates of tobacco use and cessation attempts among a sample of homeless adults. Methods: Participants (N = 421) were adults experiencing homelessness entering permanent supportive housing programs in Los Angeles. Multivariate logistic regression determined associations of lifetime mental health diagnoses, recent substance use, demographic characteristics, and lifetime literal homelessness with daily tobacco use and cessation attempts. Results: Lifetime diagnoses of schizophrenia, posttraumatic stress disorder, depression, bipolar disorder, and illicit substance use were associated with increased odds of daily tobacco use. A lifetime diagnosis of depression was associated with an increased likelihood of a past 3-month tobacco cessation attempt, while illicit substance use was associated with a lower likelihood of a cessation attempt. Conclusions: Findings suggest that demographic and clinical characteristics associated with tobacco use differ among this sample of homeless adults and those identified by the CDC among housed adults. Mental health conditions and substance use appear to be the primary correlates of tobacco use among adults experiencing homelessness and may be critical in efforts aimed at improving cessation.

Multimorbidity among Veterans Diagnosed with PTSD in the Veterans Health Administration Nationally.

Over 30% of veterans treated for psychiatric disorders in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) are diagnosed with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), with most receiving treatment for war-zone stress they experienced decades previously. We examined psychiatric multimorbidity among these patients and consider its implications for treatment and research. Using national VHA data from Fiscal Year 2012 on all veterans diagnosed with PTSD, we compared those with PTSD only to those with one, two, and three or more concurrent (non-substance use) psychiatric disorders. Comparisons of these four groups on sociodemographic characteristics, medical and substance use co-morbidities, health service use, and psychotropic prescription fills were conducted using bi-variate and ordinal logistic regression methods. Of 638,451 veterans diagnosed with PTSD in FY2012, only 29.8% had PTSD alone; 36.7% had one concurrent psychiatric diagnosis, 21.3% had two, and 12.2% had three or more. Anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder were the most common concurrent diagnoses. Veterans with higher levels of multimorbidity were younger, had greater likelihood of recent homelessness, substance use disorder, and diverse medical diagnoses, along with increased mental health and medical service use and greater psychotropic medication use. Psychiatric multimorbidity is highly prevalent among VHA patients diagnosed with PTSD, and may represent an underappreciated and poorly understood clinical complication that poses unique challenges to effective treatment. Clinical attention and both epidemiological and interventional research on multimorbidity in PTSD patients are needed in order to better understand and treat this common but understudied phenomenon.

The Impact of HIV Infection on TB Disparities Among US-Born Black and White Tuberculosis Patients in the United States.

US-born non-Hispanic black persons (blacks) (12% of the US population) accounted for 41% of HIV diagnoses during 2008-2014. HIV infection significantly increases TB and TB-related mortality. TB rate ratios were 6 to 7 times as high in blacks versus US-born non-Hispanic whites (whites) during 2013-2016. We analyzed a sample of black and white TB patients to assess the impact of HIV infection on TB racial disparities. In total, 552 black and white TB patients with known HIV/AIDS status were recruited from 10 US sites in 2009-2010. We abstracted data from the National TB Surveillance System, medical records, and death certificates and interviewed 477 patients. We estimated adjusted odds ratios (AORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for associations of TB with HIV infection, late HIV diagnosis (≤3 months before or any time after TB diagnosis), and mortality during TB treatment. Twenty-one percent of the sample had HIV/AIDS infection. Blacks (AOR = 3.4; 95% CI, 1.7-6.8) and persons with recent homelessness (AOR = 2.5; 95% CI, 1.5-4.3) had greater odds of HIV infection than others. The majority of HIV-infected/TB patients were diagnosed with HIV infection 3 months or less before (57%) or after (4%) TB diagnosis. Among HIV-infected/TB patients, blacks had similar percentages to whites (61% vs 57%) of late HIV diagnosis. Twenty-five percent of HIV-infected/TB patients died, 38% prior to TB diagnosis and 62% during TB treatment. Blacks did not have significantly greater odds of TB-related mortality than whites (AOR = 1.1; 95% CI, 0.6-2.1). Black TB patients had greater HIV prevalence than whites. While mortality was associated with HIV infection, it was not significantly associated with black or white race.

Beyond viral suppression: the quality of life of people living with HIV in Sweden

ABSTRACTSweden has one of the best HIV treatment outcomes in the world and an estimated 95% of all diagnosed people living with HIV are virally suppressed, but the quality of life (QoL) is understudied. The aim of this study was to examine the associations between variables within sociodemographic, behavioural, clinical, psychological, sexual life, social support and personal resource component and the QoL of people living with HIV in Sweden. Data were derived from a cross-sectional, nation-wide survey completed by 15% (n = 1096) of all people living with HIV and collected at 15 infectious disease clinics and 2 needle exchange sites during 2014. Ordinal univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to examine associations between potential contributors and QoL. Respondents reported high QoL: 63% rated their QoL 7 or higher on a scale ranging from 0 to 10. QoL was independent of gender, age, mode of HIV transmission and country of origin. Lower QoL was associated with recent homelessness, hazardous alcohol consumption, comorbidities, treatment side-effects, HIV-related physical symptoms, hopelessness, negative self-image, sexual dissatisfaction, and negative changes in sex life after HIV. The QoL of people living with HIV in Sweden was high overall, but still significantly influenced by HIV.

Factors associated with methadone maintenance therapy discontinuation among people who inject drugs

BackgroundMethadone maintenance therapy (MMT) continues to be a key treatment for opioid use disorder, although premature discontinuation of MMT can increase risk for overdose and other severe harms. We examined sociodemographic characteristics, substance use patterns and social-structural exposures associated with MMT discontinuation among a cohort of people who use drugs (PWUD) in Vancouver, Canada. MethodsData were derived from VIDUS and ACCESS, prospective cohorts of PWUD in Vancouver, Canada. The outcome of interest was self-reported discontinuation of MMT within the last six months. Multivariable Generalized Estimating Equations (GEE) were conducted to identify factors independently associated with MMT discontinuation. ResultsBetween 2005 and 2015, 1301 PWUD who had accessed MMT were recruited, among whom 288 (22.1%) discontinued MMT at least once during the study period. In multivariable GEE analyses, homelessness (Adjusted Odds Ratio [AOR] = 1.46, 95% Confidence Interval [95% CI]: 1.09–1.95), daily heroin injection (AOR = 5.17, 95% CI: 3.82–6.99), daily prescription opioid use (injection or non-injection) (AOR = 2.18, 95% CI: 1.30–3.67), recent incarceration (AOR = 1.46, 95% CI: 1.01–2.12), and not being on any form of income assistance (AOR = 2.14, 95% CI: 1.33–3.46) were each independently positively associated with MMT discontinuation. Participants with more study visits on methadone (>50% vs. ≤50% of visits) (AOR = 0.63, 95% CI: 0.47–0.85) and those with higher methadone dose (>100 mg vs. <60 mg per day) (AOR = 0.44, 95% CI: 0.31–0.62) were less likely to discontinue MMT. Discussion and conclusionsDiscontinuation of MMT in this urban setting was associated with recent homelessness and incarceration, not accessing social income assistance, as well as daily prescription opioid use and daily heroin injection drug use. These findings underscore a need to reduce potential barriers to MMT retention by providing access to stable housing and preventing treatment interruptions during transitions between community and custodial settings.

Financial Capability: Clinicians' Assessment of Beneficiaries With Dual Diagnoses

Objective: Adults with mental health disorders whose ability to work is sufficiently impeded are entitled to financial supports from the Social Security Administration. Beneficiaries determined to be incapable of managing these funds are supposed to be assigned a representative payee to assist beneficiaries in meeting their needs. However, patterns of payee assignment suggest that payee assignment is impacted by factors other than those the Social Security Administration instructs clinicians to consider. In this study, we tested the association between clinicians' judgments of their clients' financial capability and hypothesized predictors (demographic characteristics, psychiatric diagnosis, recent alcohol and other substance use, self-rated money mismanagement, recent homelessness, and provider characteristics). We posited that predictors might act indirectly on capability judgment via their impact on beneficiaries' money management. Methods: Altogether, 261 people receiving intensive mental health care who did not have payees or fiduciaries were enrolled after providing written informed consent. These beneficiaries completed in-person assessment interviews, reporting demographic characteristics, treatment history, substance use, and homelessness. Mental health clinicians identified by the beneficiaries were enrolled in the study and asked to judge their clients' financial capability with standard Social Security instructions for determining capability. Bivariate associations between hypothesized predictors and clinicians' determinations of incapability were tested. In multivariate probit regression models, incapability determination was modeled as a function of all beneficiary and clinician characteristics that had significant bivariate associations with the outcome. Results: Providers identified 24% of their clients as financially incapable. Determinations of financial incapability were unrelated to any beneficiary or provider demographic characteristics but were positively associated with money mismanagement, homelessness, and having a psychotic disorder. Alcohol use and other substance use were only significantly associated with capability determinations indirectly through their effects on money mismanagement. Conclusions: Providers' judgments of beneficiaries' capability to manage their funds were associated with factors that were consistent with Social Security Administration guidelines and were, importantly, not associated with personal characteristics. This finding suggests that guidelines can be fairly applied by clinicians and that reported inconsistencies in payee assignment are accounted for by other factors. The Social Security Administration is currently considering other approaches to standardize capability determinations.

Emotional Health Among Youth Experiencing Family Homelessness.

Youth who are homeless with adult family members comprise 37% of the US homeless population, yet mental health among this group has not yet been well described. We aimed to compare the risk of suicidality, and factors that may protect against it, between family-homeless and nonhomeless youth. We used cross-sectional data, representing 62 034 eighth- to 12th-graders, to estimate the adjusted odds ratio (aOR) of emotional distress, self-injury, suicidal ideation, and attempted suicide in the past 12 months for youth who experienced family homelessness in the past 12 months compared with housed youth, controlling for covariates. We then tested whether developmental assets moderated these outcomes. Four percent (n = 4594) of youth (mean age 14.9 years) were homeless with an adult family member. Among these, 29.1% (n = 1317; aOR: 2.52, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.34-2.69) reported self-injury, 21% (n = 940; aOR: 2.30, 95% CI: 2.14-2.48) reported suicidal ideation, and 9.3% (n = 416; aOR: 3.24, 95% CI: 2.91-3.60) reported suicide attempts. Developmental assets decreased the odds of these outcomes for all youth but were less protective for homeless youth. Youth experiencing recent family homelessness are at higher risk of suicidality than their nonhomeless peers, suggesting homelessness itself as a marker of risk. Factors that protect emotional health are less impactful among youth experiencing recent family homelessness. Thus, interventions among homeless youth may need to address social determinants of health such as stable housing and adversity in addition to developmental assets.

A multisite, longitudinal study of risk factors for incarceration and impact on mental health and substance use among young transgender women in the USA.

Transgender women are disproportionately incarcerated in the US relative to the general population. A dearth of research has explored the factors that predict incarceration among transgender women or the longitudinal impact of incarceration on the health of this population. Between 2012 and 2015, 221 transgender women ages 16-29 from Boston, MA and Chicago, IL were prospectively assessed at baseline, 4, 8 and 12 months. Mixed effects models were used to identify risk factors for incarceration and examine whether incarceration predicts somatic, anxiety and depressive symptoms, illicit drug use, and binge drinking over time, controlling for baseline psychiatric and substance use disorders. Overall, 38% experienced incarceration, before (33%) and during (18%) the study period. Significant independent predictors of recent incarceration included sex work, recent homelessness, school dropout and number of times incarcerated prior to enrollment while recent incarceration significantly predicted somatic symptoms and illicit drug use over time. Incarceration burden is high in young transgender women. Both structural and individual risk factors predict incarceration and poor health, suggesting the need for multilevel interventions to prevent incarceration and support young transgender women during incarceration and upon release.

Opioid medication use in patients with gastrointestinal diagnoses vs unexplained gastrointestinal symptoms in the US Veterans Health Administration.

While opioid prescriptions have increased alarmingly in the United States (US), their use for unexplained chronic gastrointestinal (GI) pain (eg, irritable bowel syndrome) carries an especially high risk for adverse effects and questionable benefit. To compare opioid use among US veterans with structural GI diagnoses (SGID) and those with unexplained GI symptoms or functional GI diagnoses (FGID), a group for whom opioids have no accepted role. Veterans Health Administration (VHA) administrative data from fiscal year 2012 were used to identify veterans with diagnostic codes recorded for SGID and FGID. This cohort study examined VHA pharmacy data to compare groups receiving≥1 opioid prescription during the year and number of prescriptions filled. Bivariate and multiple logistic regression analyses adjusted for potential confounding factors (demographics, medical diagnoses, social factors) and identified potential mediators (service use, psychiatric comorbidity) of opioid use in these groups. A greater proportion of veterans with FGID received an opioid prescription during fiscal year 2012 (36.0% of 272431) compared to only 28.9% of 1223744 in the SGID group (Relative Risk [RR]=1.25). In multivariate logistic regression, personality disorders and drug abuse (OR 1.23 for each group), recent homelessness (OR 1.22), psychotropic medication fills (OR 1.55) and emergency department encounters (OR 1.21) were independently associated with opioid prescription use. Despite the potential for adverse consequences, opioids more often are prescribed for veterans with chronic, unexplained GI symptoms compared to those with structural diagnoses. Psychiatric comorbidities and frequent healthcare encounters mediate some of the opioid use risk.

Six-Month Emergency Department Use among Older Adults Following Jail Incarceration.

Although the number of older adults who are arrested and subject to incarceration in jail is rising dramatically, little is known about their emergency department (ED) use or the factors associated with that use. This lack of knowledge impairs the ability to design evidence-based approaches to care that would meet the needs of this population. This 6-month longitudinal study aimed to determine the frequency of 6-month ED use among 101 adults aged 55 or older enrolled while in jail and to identify factors associated with that use. The primary outcome was self-reported emergency department use within 6months from baseline. Additional measures included baseline socio-demographics, physical and mental health conditions, geriatric factors (e.g., recent falls, incontinence, functional impairment, concern about post-release safety), symptoms (pain and other symptoms), and behavioral and social health risk factors (e.g., substance use disorders, recent homelessness). Chi-square tests were used to identify baseline factors associated with ED use over 6months. Participants (average age 60) reported high rates of multimorbidity (61%), functional impairment (57%), pain (52%), serious mental illness (44%), recent homelessness (54%), and/or substance use disorders (69%). At 6months, 46% had visited the ED at least once; 21% visited multiple times. Factors associated with ED use included multimorbidity (p=0.01), functional impairment (p=0.02), hepatitis C infection (p=0.01), a recent fall (p=0.03), pain (p<0.001), loneliness (p=0.04), and safety concerns (p=0.01). In this population of older adults in a county jail, geriatric conditions and distressing symptoms were common and associated with 6-month community ED use. Jail is an important setting to develop geriatric care paradigms aimed at addressing comorbid medical, functional, and behavioral health needs and symptomatology in an effort to improve care and decrease ED use in the growing population of criminal justice-involved older adults.

Psychosocial Characteristics and Sexual Risk Behaviors among Female Exotic Dancers Who Have Sex with Women in Baltimore: A Brief Report

ABSTRACTThe aim of this study was to compare psychosocial characteristics and sexual risk behaviors that may increase sexually transmitted infection risk among women who have sex with women compared to women who have sex with men only who are female exotic dancers (N = 117) in Baltimore, Maryland. The author used multivariate logistic regression to determine which psychosocial characteristics and sexual risk behaviors were independently associated with women who have sex with women status. Multivariate results indicated that women who have sex with women status was associated with recent homelessness, illicit substance use, and sex exchange. Prevention interventions for sexually transmitted infections should aim to address psychosocial vulnerabilities in addition to reducing sexual risk behaviors.

How Can Subnational Governments Deliver Their Policy Objectives in the Age of Austerity? Reshaping Homelessness Policy in Wales

AbstractThis article explores how a devolved government in a small country, faced with external constraints beyond its immediate control, can deploy policy resources to shape a distinctive approach to public services. We analyse recent homelessness policy in Wales using the NATO (Nodality, Authority, Treasure, Organisation) typology of tools of government proposed by Hood and Margetts, and show how this can be applied usefully to understand the choices that governments must make in conducting relationships with other institutions. We conclude that a combination of Nodality and Authority provide powerful resources for a subnational government which has only limited formal powers and fiscal autonomy.

Psychiatric Risk in Unstably Housed Sexual Minority Women: Relationship between Sexual and Racial Minority Status and Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Psychiatric Diagnoses

BackgroundStress associated with minority statuses has been linked to mental health disorders. However, research conducted exclusively among impoverished women, a population known to be at risk for poor health owing to overlapping risks, is sparse. We sought to determine if homeless and unstably housed sexual minority (i.e., nonheterosexual) women were at greater psychiatric risk than their heterosexual counterparts. We also sought to determine if racial/ethnic minority and human immunodeficiency virus status contributed to psychiatric risks. MethodsHomeless/unstably housed women living in San Francisco between 2008 and 2010 were followed biannually over 3 years. Generalized estimating equation analysis identified significant correlates of any substance use, mood, or anxiety disorder, as well as the total number of psychiatric disorders. ResultsAmong 300 women, 24% reported nonheterosexual identity at the first study visit. Consistent with minority stress theory, lesbian and bisexual identity were associated with higher levels of mental health comorbidity, and bisexual identity was related to greater rates of substance use disorders and mood disorders. Unique to this study, we found that identity assessed 1 or 2 years prior does not predict current substance disorders, but current identity does. In addition, women who were infected with the human immunodeficiency virus also had higher rates of mental health comorbidity and substance use disorders. Contrary to psychosocial stress theory, racial/ethnic minority status was associated with reduced odds of substance use disorder in this population. Recent homelessness was related to greater risk of anxiety disorder. ConclusionsBest research and health care practices should include the assessment of sexual orientation and housing status when addressing risks for mental health and substance disorders among low-income women.