A Place to Rest Your Head
Addressing the Homeless Situation in Galveston County, Texas
Index
Summary of the Issue
Definition
Pathophysiology
Epidemiology
Health Promotion Theory
Cultural and Ethical Considerations
Possible Interventions
Local & State Resources
Reference
Summary of the Issue
According to federal data, the number of Texans experiencing homelessness is back at pre-pandemic levels showing homelessness in Texas grew by more than 12% in 2023 (Fechter, 2024). Per the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Point in Time Report published in 2023, there is currently only 306 people accounted and surveyed which may be more (Texas Homeless Network (THN), 2024). The Point in Time (PIT) Count provides just a single, one-day snapshot of homelessness. While the PIT can be an important data collection effort as well as a good perspective to how the country is moving towards or away from ending homelessness, it only captures a single frame of the ever-changing population that is homelessness (United Way, 2023).
What is Homelessness?
The definition of homeless or homeless person can be defined in various definitions per the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) (National Alliance to End Homelessness, 2016):
- "An individual who is living in a place not meant for human habitation, in emergency shelter, in transitional housing, or are exiting an institution where they temporarily resided".
- "An individual who is losing their primary nighttime residence: which may include a motel or hotel or a doubled-up situation, within 14 days and lack resources or support networks to remain in housing".
- "Families with children or unaccompanied youth who are unstably housed and likely to continue in that state".
- "People who are fleeing or attempting to flee domestic violence, have no other residence, and lack the resources or support networks to obtain other permanent housing".
What is Pathophysiology of Homelessness?
From information given by the Centers forDisease Control and Prevention (2022), people experiencing homelessness are at increased risk for infectious and noninfectious diseases. According to the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (2021), a recent study found that in high-income countries, mortality for individuals experiencing homelessness was between three and 11 times higher than the general population. Homelessness is known to increase the risk for infectious diseases such as Viral Hepatitis, Tuberculosis (TB), Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), and Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) (CDC, 2022). People experiencing homelessness also commonly face mental illness, alcohol and substance use disorder, diabetes, and heart and lung disease (CDC, 2022). Delayed care seeking and lapses in care can lead to worse health outcomes, such as severe illness or death (CDC, 2022).
The Epidemiology of Homelessness in Galveston County
According to the Point in Time (PIT) report in 2023, homeless individuals were surveyed on their current chronic afflictions such as a) 68 Adults with a Serious Mental illness, b)
63 Adults with a substance use disorder, c) 3 Adults with HIV/AIDS, and d) 50 Adult Survivors of Domestic Violence (Texas Homeless Network (THN), 2024).
What is the Health Promotion Theory?
A positive freedom is defined as "the rationale for the welfare state and the idea that everybody should have equal opportunity to participate in the different practices of a society" (Haugan & Eriksson, 2021).
By giving individuals the opportunity for better health, we can help those in need to attain positive freedom.
Cultural and Ethical Considerations
Cultural homelessness is a perceived dissociation and disconnection from one’s culture of origin (culture of birth) and present culture (culture of raise) according to Juan, the creator of A Journey for Wisdom (2021). Ways to be considerate:
- Provide inclusive dialogue options for the homeless populations ensuring that a language service is available to help those of this diverse demographic.
- Ensure that any assistance to converse with this population is non-judgmental and an open attitude.
- Ensure that any teachings are presented in a adjustable format to accommodate any literacy level.
- Ensure that individuals from this population have their beliefs and/or customs respected.
- Ensure that this population when initiatives are utilized for their benefit that they are bother beneficentl and non-maleficent.
What Can We As Healthcare Professionals Do?
- Promote early screening since it is important because if diseases are caught earlier, treatment can begin, reducing the impact of the disease (NHCHC, 2017).
- Promoting lifestyle changes may be effective in the early stages of disease progression, nutritional, and disease management counseling are a crucial part of early screening and treatment (NHCHC, 2017).
- Encouraging individuals to modify risk factors such as using safe-sex practices, smoking cessation, are among several to reduce health risks (Maness et al., 2019).
- Primary preventive care aims to prevent the occurrence of disease such as getting vaccines (NHCHC, 2017).
- Secondary preventive care prevents complications from a disease that has developed or detects thedisease before symptoms occur such as getting annual mammograms that can detect thepresence of breast cancer (NHCHC, 2017).
- Tertiary preventive care occurs when disease and conditions are already present, but the healthcare team is focused on reducing the impact of the disease which an example would include chemotherapy, cardiac rehabilitation, and diabetes management (NHCHC, 2017)
Local & State Resources
St Vincent's House
2817 Alfreda, Galveston, TX 77550
409-763-8521 The Salvation Army
601 51st St, Galveston, TX 77551 (409) 763-1691
Street Scape Ministries
611 37th St, Galveston, TX 77550 (936) 590-0722
Galveston Island Family Crisis Center
1802 Broadway St Ste.122, Galveston, TX 77550 (409) 621-1228 CHRISTUS Our Daily Bread 2420 Winnie, Galveston, TX 77550 (409) 765-6971
The Chosen Ones Outreach Ministries of Galveston
2628 Ball Avenue
Galveston, TX 77550
(409) 229-1394
Texas Health & Human Services Commission Hosuing Programs Dial 2-1-1, or (877) 541-7905
Reference
1-1 Texas: Texas Health and Human Services Commission. 2. (2024, April 30). https://www.211texas.org/
American Psychological Association. (2019). Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (7th ed.).
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022, May 6). About homelessness. https://www.cdc.gov/orr/science/homelessness/about.html#:~:text=People%20experiencing%20homelessness%20are%20at,2019%20(COVID%2D19)
Citation Machine. (2000). APA Citation Generator. Citation Machine, a Chegg service. https://www.citationmachine.net/apa
Fechter, J. (2024, January 11). Homelessness in Texas on the rise amid high housing costs, Federal Estimates Show. The Texas Tribune. https://www.texastribune.org/2024/01/11/texas-homelessness-estimate/
Haugan, G., & Eriksson, M. (2021). Health Promotion in health care: Vital theories and research (1st ed.). Springer.
Juan - A Journey for Wisdom. (2021, April 23). Cultural homelessness. A Journey for Wisdom. https://www.ajourneyforwisdom.com/cultural-homelessness/
Maness, S. B., Reitzel, L. R., Hernandez, D. C., Maria, D. S., Batson, M. A., Zingg, T., Kendzor, D., & Businelle, M. S. (2019). Modifiable risk factors and readiness to change among homeless adults. American Journal of Health Behavior, 43(2), 373–379. https://doi.org/10.5993/ajhb.43.2.13 National Alliance to End Homelessness. (2016, October 19). Changes in the HUD definition of “homeless.” https://endhomelessness.org/resource/changes-in-the-huddefinition-of-homeless/
National Health Care for the Homeless Council. (NHCHC) (2017). Preventive care for people experiencing homelessness. https://nhchc.org/. https://nhchc.org/wpcontent/ uploads/2019/08/healing-hands-preventative-care-finalized.pdf
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation. (2021, February 28). Health conditions among individuals with a history of homelessness research brief. ASPE. https://aspe.hhs.gov/reports/health-conditions-among-individuals-historyhomelessness-research-brief-0
Texas Health and Human Services. (2024). Programs for people who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. https://www.hhs.texas.gov/services/mental-health-substance-use/mental-health-crisis-services/programs-people-who-are-homeless-or-risk-becoming-homeless
Texas Homeless Network (THN). (2024). Gulf Coast Homeless Coalition (Galveston County) - Point-In-Time Count (PIT) Reports. Point-In-Time Count (PIT) Reports. https://www.thn.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Galveston-Final-2023.pdf
United Way. (2023, November 22). How many people are experiencing homelessness, anyway?. United Way of the Plains. https://unitedwayplains.org/how-many-people-are-experiencing-homelessness-anyway/
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Transcript
A Place to Rest Your Head
Addressing the Homeless Situation in Galveston County, Texas
Index
Summary of the Issue
Definition
Pathophysiology
Epidemiology
Health Promotion Theory
Cultural and Ethical Considerations
Possible Interventions
Local & State Resources
Reference
Summary of the Issue
According to federal data, the number of Texans experiencing homelessness is back at pre-pandemic levels showing homelessness in Texas grew by more than 12% in 2023 (Fechter, 2024). Per the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Point in Time Report published in 2023, there is currently only 306 people accounted and surveyed which may be more (Texas Homeless Network (THN), 2024). The Point in Time (PIT) Count provides just a single, one-day snapshot of homelessness. While the PIT can be an important data collection effort as well as a good perspective to how the country is moving towards or away from ending homelessness, it only captures a single frame of the ever-changing population that is homelessness (United Way, 2023).
What is Homelessness?
The definition of homeless or homeless person can be defined in various definitions per the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) (National Alliance to End Homelessness, 2016):
What is Pathophysiology of Homelessness?
From information given by the Centers forDisease Control and Prevention (2022), people experiencing homelessness are at increased risk for infectious and noninfectious diseases. According to the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (2021), a recent study found that in high-income countries, mortality for individuals experiencing homelessness was between three and 11 times higher than the general population. Homelessness is known to increase the risk for infectious diseases such as Viral Hepatitis, Tuberculosis (TB), Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), and Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) (CDC, 2022). People experiencing homelessness also commonly face mental illness, alcohol and substance use disorder, diabetes, and heart and lung disease (CDC, 2022). Delayed care seeking and lapses in care can lead to worse health outcomes, such as severe illness or death (CDC, 2022).
The Epidemiology of Homelessness in Galveston County
According to the Point in Time (PIT) report in 2023, homeless individuals were surveyed on their current chronic afflictions such as a) 68 Adults with a Serious Mental illness, b) 63 Adults with a substance use disorder, c) 3 Adults with HIV/AIDS, and d) 50 Adult Survivors of Domestic Violence (Texas Homeless Network (THN), 2024).
What is the Health Promotion Theory?
A positive freedom is defined as "the rationale for the welfare state and the idea that everybody should have equal opportunity to participate in the different practices of a society" (Haugan & Eriksson, 2021). By giving individuals the opportunity for better health, we can help those in need to attain positive freedom.
Cultural and Ethical Considerations
Cultural homelessness is a perceived dissociation and disconnection from one’s culture of origin (culture of birth) and present culture (culture of raise) according to Juan, the creator of A Journey for Wisdom (2021). Ways to be considerate:
What Can We As Healthcare Professionals Do?
Local & State Resources
St Vincent's House 2817 Alfreda, Galveston, TX 77550 409-763-8521 The Salvation Army 601 51st St, Galveston, TX 77551 (409) 763-1691 Street Scape Ministries 611 37th St, Galveston, TX 77550 (936) 590-0722 Galveston Island Family Crisis Center 1802 Broadway St Ste.122, Galveston, TX 77550 (409) 621-1228 CHRISTUS Our Daily Bread 2420 Winnie, Galveston, TX 77550 (409) 765-6971 The Chosen Ones Outreach Ministries of Galveston 2628 Ball Avenue Galveston, TX 77550 (409) 229-1394 Texas Health & Human Services Commission Hosuing Programs Dial 2-1-1, or (877) 541-7905
Reference
1-1 Texas: Texas Health and Human Services Commission. 2. (2024, April 30). https://www.211texas.org/ American Psychological Association. (2019). Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (7th ed.). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022, May 6). About homelessness. https://www.cdc.gov/orr/science/homelessness/about.html#:~:text=People%20experiencing%20homelessness%20are%20at,2019%20(COVID%2D19) Citation Machine. (2000). APA Citation Generator. Citation Machine, a Chegg service. https://www.citationmachine.net/apa Fechter, J. (2024, January 11). Homelessness in Texas on the rise amid high housing costs, Federal Estimates Show. The Texas Tribune. https://www.texastribune.org/2024/01/11/texas-homelessness-estimate/ Haugan, G., & Eriksson, M. (2021). Health Promotion in health care: Vital theories and research (1st ed.). Springer. Juan - A Journey for Wisdom. (2021, April 23). Cultural homelessness. A Journey for Wisdom. https://www.ajourneyforwisdom.com/cultural-homelessness/ Maness, S. B., Reitzel, L. R., Hernandez, D. C., Maria, D. S., Batson, M. A., Zingg, T., Kendzor, D., & Businelle, M. S. (2019). Modifiable risk factors and readiness to change among homeless adults. American Journal of Health Behavior, 43(2), 373–379. https://doi.org/10.5993/ajhb.43.2.13 National Alliance to End Homelessness. (2016, October 19). Changes in the HUD definition of “homeless.” https://endhomelessness.org/resource/changes-in-the-huddefinition-of-homeless/ National Health Care for the Homeless Council. (NHCHC) (2017). Preventive care for people experiencing homelessness. https://nhchc.org/. https://nhchc.org/wpcontent/ uploads/2019/08/healing-hands-preventative-care-finalized.pdf Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation. (2021, February 28). Health conditions among individuals with a history of homelessness research brief. ASPE. https://aspe.hhs.gov/reports/health-conditions-among-individuals-historyhomelessness-research-brief-0 Texas Health and Human Services. (2024). Programs for people who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. https://www.hhs.texas.gov/services/mental-health-substance-use/mental-health-crisis-services/programs-people-who-are-homeless-or-risk-becoming-homeless Texas Homeless Network (THN). (2024). Gulf Coast Homeless Coalition (Galveston County) - Point-In-Time Count (PIT) Reports. Point-In-Time Count (PIT) Reports. https://www.thn.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Galveston-Final-2023.pdf United Way. (2023, November 22). How many people are experiencing homelessness, anyway?. United Way of the Plains. https://unitedwayplains.org/how-many-people-are-experiencing-homelessness-anyway/