
5 Things About the Importance of Housing in Healthcare
As social determinants of health are being more intensely researched, one determinant that is already well understood and has a number of interventions in place and being studied is housing. Here are 5 things about housing in healthcare.
As social determinants of health are being more intensely researched, one determinant that is already well understood and has a number of interventions in place and being studied is housing. A recent
Here are 5 things about housing in healthcare.
1. The importance of housing in HIV/AIDS
During the early years of the AIDS epidemic,
The study also showed that unstable housing lowered the likelihood of receiving mental health/counseling, visiting a healthcare provider, and engaging in continuity of care.
2. Housing can reduce hospital use among seniors
When seniors have access to affordable housing with supportive services, they are
Some of the supportive services included at the facilities were personal, functional status, and psychological assessments; counseling and advocacy; health education; wellness programs; socialization; educational programs to control chronic disease; and evaluation and referral for mental health concerns.
3. Supportive housing reduces health spending for the homeless
Individuals who are faced with homelessness use the emergency department and are hospitalized at higher rates than the average person.
4. Some health systems are putting up the money for this
Health systems and hospitals realize the benefits of increasing access to affordable housing. One benefit is that high utilizers now have a safe place to return to when they are discharged, which may help prevent future hospital visits. The Center for Community Investment recently
5. Housing First, but not housing only
As more housing programs are implemented, the approach of Housing First has taken hold. This is the concept that people need to get into a housing stable situation first by lowering barriers to get into housing, and then other issues are taken care of. However, that does not mean a person is put into stable, quality housing and then left to their own devices. Housing First works when people are provided with
Newsletter
Stay ahead of policy, cost, and value—subscribe to AJMC for expert insights at the intersection of clinical care and health economics.