Homelessness in the United States continues to grow, with the latest statistics showing that just over 770 000 people are experiencing homelessness across America. Unsheltered homelessness significantly impacts health and contributes to accelerated aging and premature death due to poor access to healthcare, poor nutrition, and exposure to the elements. People experiencing unsheltered homelessness (PEUH) also have competing priorities and different personal and environmental challenges in maintaining their health and accessing healthcare. Little is known about the needs for survival, outreach services, and healthcare among PEUH, specifically. Understanding the basic physiological needs of PEUH is important to inform health and social services, policy, and advocacy for this population. To this end, we engaged exclusively with PEUH and employed a clinical tool specifically designed for obtaining a history with this population.
The purpose of this study was to explore the experience of adults experiencing unsheltered homelessness with meeting their basic needs for food, drinking water, toilet, hygiene, and healthcare in Los Angeles County. The study objectives were: To identify the overall primary sources of basic needs for PEUH at initiation of street medicine care, and; To identify any differences in primary sources of basic needs across 5 geographical areas of Los Angeles County for PEUH at initiation of street medicine care.