Assessing health conditions and medication use among the homeless community in Long Beach, California
Volume 3, Issue 2, Spring 2014, Pages 56-61
. Mok Thoong Chong, . Jason Yamaki, . Megan Harwood, . Richard d’Assalenaux, . Ettie Rosenberg, . Okezie Aruoma, . Anupam Bishayee
Abstract Objective: Persons experiencing homelessness are a vulnerable population and are at
increased risk for morbidity and all‑cause mortality compared to the general population.
This study sought to evaluate medication use, regular physician visits, and identify health
conditions among the homeless population of Long Beach, California.
Methods: Two “brown bag” medication review events were held at homeless shelters in
the Long Beach area. Demographic information, medication use, and comorbid disease states
were obtained through surveys.
Findings: Three‑fourths of the cohort (95 participants) consisted of males, and the
average age of participants was 48 years. Psychiatric disorders and cardiovascular disease
were the most common disease states reported at 32% and 46%, respectively and so were
medications used in treating these chronic diseases. Medication adherence was found to be a
significant problem in this population, where more than 30% of patients were nonadherent to
medications for chronic diseases. Furthermore, foot problems, hearing and vision difficulties
constitute the most commonly overlooked health problems within the homeless population.
Conclusion: Based on this and other similar finding, we must accept that the homeless
represent a vulnerable population, and that because of this fact, more programs should be
focused at improving availability and access to health care among the homeless. Regarding
the high number of reported health problems in the study, more studies are needed and
more studies should incorporate screening for foot, hearing, and vision issues, both to
increase awareness and to provide an opportunity for devising possible solutions to these
highly preventable conditions.