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Dear Behavioral Health Colleagues,
According to the 2022 Annual Homelessness Assessment Report (AHAR), on a single night in 2022, roughly 582,500 people were experiencing homelessness in the United States. California also had the highest rate of homelessness, with 44 people experiencing homelessness out of every 10,000 people in the state. Many unhoused individuals face multiple health challenges, such as chronic medical conditions, mental health disorders, substance abuse issues, and traumatic experiences, which are often interrelated and can exacerbate one another.
Due to the intersectionality of these multiple comorbidities, it is critical for the members of this population to be served in a system of integrated care. Integrated care, which involves coordination between physical health, mental health, and substance abuse treatment, is crucial for addressing the complex needs of the unhoused population. Without access to integrated care, homeless individuals often struggle to access the care they need, which can lead to poorer health outcomes and increased utilization of emergency services.
CBHA would like to extend our gratitude to The California Chronic Care Coalition for the collaboration on their recent video production that raises awareness about the needs of our unhoused populations and discusses how those needs are often driven by chronic conditions. We also extend our appreciation to our member, Felton Institute for demonstrating the significance of whole-person care.
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