CHEST Guidelines-Potential-Implications-of-the-COVID-19-Pandemic-on

Potential-Implications-of-the-COVID-19-Pandemic-on

Pdf Summary

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted significant challenges and potential implications for the homeless population, particularly their vulnerability and the strain they could cause on healthcare systems. In Charlottesville, Virginia, shelters are unable to maintain proper social distancing due to space constraints, leading to a high risk of COVID-19 outbreaks within these congregated settings. If one individual becomes infected, there's a high chance of rapid transmission among the shelter population, which could overwhelm local hospitals that are already operating at capacity.<br /><br />The pandemic also threatens to increase homelessness as job instability rises, potentially transitioning more individuals into homelessness and exacerbating the pressure on healthcare systems. Many who are at risk already have underlying health conditions such as asthma, COPD, or diabetes, and could face worsened health outcomes without consistent access to medication and care if they become uninsured.<br /><br />The crisis emphasizes systemic gaps in the US healthcare system. Homelessness is a known risk factor for increased healthcare utilization. Programs addressing homelessness, such as those implemented in New York, have demonstrated significant savings in Medicaid and reductions in emergency department visits and inpatient days. Nationwide, meeting the urgent shelter needs in response to COVID-19 exposure among the homeless is estimated to cost $11.5 billion annually.<br /><br />For small cities like Charlottesville and others across the US, innovative strategies are needed. Creating emergent housing solutions and preventive strategies before infections occur could help manage spread and protect healthcare resources. Expanding Medicaid and implementing federal universal insurance coverage could mitigate the financial burden on healthcare systems and patients, particularly those with chronic conditions, during this crisis. The pandemic has underscored the urgency of addressing homelessness as a healthcare priority to reduce the strain on already overburdened systems.

Keywords

COVID-19

homelessness

healthcare systems

Charlottesville

social distancing

shelters

Medicaid

emergent housing

universal insurance

chronic conditions