Chest
Clinical InvestigationsCOPDObstructive Lung Disease Among the Urban Homeless
Section snippets
Overview
We conducted a cross-sectional examination of the prevalence of OLD in a random sample of homeless individuals in San Francisco. This was a field study with direct personal interviews and spirometry conducted with homeless individuals.
Study Participants and Recruitment
We recruited a random sample of homeless adults aged ≥ 35 years to participate. We used the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act of 1987 definition to determine those who were currently homeless.22 As all subjects were current residents of one homeless
Results
Sociodemographic variables were different for the homeless subjects compared to the general population of San Francisco (Table 1). Subjects ranged in age from 35 to 73 years, with mean age of 46.5 years and a slight male predominance (62%). Compared to the San Francisco general population, minorities were overrepresented. African-Americans represented 50% of the total, white represented 16%, and Latino represented 12%. Use of cigarettes, tobacco pipes, and cigars was common among the homeless
Discussion
The burden of OLD in the United States is substantial, including disability, mortality, and economic costs.32 As one of the leading causes of death in the United States, OLD has been underreported and undertreated.28333435 Previous studies3637 established that patients with OLD have a higher incidence of morbidity with respiratory infections, leading to higher health-care utilization. In a study of medical conditions in the homeless, pulmonary disease, primarily OLD, conferred a higher risk of
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
We thank Dr. Jacqueline Tulsky, Dr. Sharad Jain, Douglas Jenny, the staff and residents at Multi-Service Center South in San Francisco, and the project interviewers: Marina Goldovsky, Jen Johnson, Sarah Kemble, Jongping Lu, Michele Montandon, and Scott Young.
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COVID-19 among people experiencing homelessness in England: a modelling study
2020, The Lancet Respiratory MedicineCitation Excerpt :Similarly, during historic pandemic influenza seasons, particularly large spikes in hospitalisations have been observed in homeless populations.3 In addition to risks related to infection, people experiencing homelessness might be at increased risk of severe COVID-19 due to high prevalence of long-term health conditions.4,5 Cohort studies of people experiencing homelessness done before the pandemic show large numbers of excess deaths due to cardiovascular and chronic respiratory diseases,6,7 which are diseases that increase the risk of severe COVID-19.8,9
Medical Care of the Homeless: An American and International Issue
2019, Physician Assistant ClinicsCitation Excerpt :Studies investigating the prevalence of smoking among homeless populations have documented prevalence rates as high as 80%.16 In 1 study, investigators found rates of obstructive lung disease as high as 15% (95% CI 8%–26%) in a population of urban homeless.17 A cluster analysis of 2733 homeless veterans found that 1 of 4 unique disease clusters was marked by elevated rates of cardiopulmonary disease, including COPD.18
Cardiovascular Disease and Homelessness
2018, Journal of the American College of CardiologyRespiratory syncytial virus and other respiratory virus infections in residents of homeless shelters – King County, Washington, 2019–2021
2023, Influenza and other Respiratory Viruses
Dr. Eisner was supported by K23 HL04201 from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.