...Epidemiology Paper – HIV/AIDS Epidemiology is defined as “the study of the distribution and determinants of health-related states or events in specified populations, and the application of this study to control of health problems” (Stanhope & Lancaster, 2008, p. 243). According to Medscape’s (2011) website, sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are prevalent among homeless girls and women (both sheltered and unsheltered) and is attributed to lack of access to condoms, survival sex, prostitution, intravenous drug use, language barriers, and citizenship status. HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is a virus that attacks the immune system, the body's natural defense system. Not having a good immune system means the body will have trouble getting rid of disease. The infection it creates and the virus is called HIV. One of the most important pieces of the immune system is the White Blood cells. The HIV virus targets and destroy a specific white blood cell called CD4+ cells. The human body can’t defend itself from infection if way too many CD4+ cells are neutralized. AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) is the last phase of HIV infection. People get rare Cancer or infections that healthy people almost never get if they have low amount of CD4+ with AIDS. This could be fatal. Although just because you have HIV, doesn’t mean you also have AIDS. It usually takes 10-12 years for HIV to become aids even without any treatment. If the HIV virus is diagnosed before AIDS develop, then medicines...
Words: 1744 - Pages: 7
...Sharon McCamy ENG 115: English Composition 1/31/2016 Revised 2/11/2016 Imagine one day your son or daughter came to you with the horrifying news that he/she is HIV positive. What kind of impact would that have on you? How would you react to this devastating news? Where would you begin to do your research on such a matter? Who could you turn to? I understand that none of the board members in this small town in Gwinnett County called Little Foot can fathom the idea around me wanting to open a HIV Clinic for people living with HIV or AID’s which I would call Positive Impact. However, I can assure the community of Little Foot that, by opening this clinic, I can produce a positive impact by helping reduce the spread of HIV and the homelessness of people with it, and that it will help provide free counseling for your family and or friends, in order to combat the stigma surrounding HIV/AIDS. I want to also explain to you facts and personal examples of why this stigma of HIV is destroying the very communities around us. In Little Foot alone 10.5% of the population is recorded to be infected with the virus in 2015. That’s almost 1100 of our population of 10,000 people. You all sit in your board rooms thinking that it can’t be you or one of your loved ones but I assure you it can. “One in eight people living with HIV are unaware of their infection” (aids.gov). This means that someone in your board room could be infected and not even know. Positive Impact would therefore provide testing...
Words: 1023 - Pages: 5
...Epidemiology, Tuberculosis, and the Homeless Population Rebecca J Buck NUR 408 July 29, 2013 Felita Patterson Epidemiology, Tuberculosis, and the Homeless Population Among many misconceptions, tuberculosis is not a disease of the past. Tuberculosis remains a public health issue. It is estimated that one-third of the total world population is infected by tuberculosis (TB). The American lung association (2013) states, in 2011 alone there were nearly 9,000,000 new diagnosed cases of tuberculosis around the world and an estimated 1.4 million deaths because of this disease. In the United States, TB is not as common (but still a problem). In 2011, only 10,500 people reported having TB (Trends in Tuberculosis Morbidity and Mortality). Research shows that there are many preceding factors that predispose a person and increase the risk of contracting TB. Epidemiologists have studied and determined that many of these preceding factors are evident in vulnerable populations around the world, particularly the homeless population. The science Daily (2013) reports that “one in five homeless people with tuberculosis die within a year of their diagnosis” (Death Rate from Tuberculosis in Homeless Alarmingly High). In addition to the high death rate for TB among homeless people, public health officials also recognize a growing threat of drug resistant strains within these vulnerable populations. Theses drug resistant strains of tuberculosis require longer, more consistent treatments...
Words: 2598 - Pages: 11
...chronically homeless are those with a protracted homeless experience whose stays in the homeless system or on the street are both frequent and long. People that are homeless are reflective of every population demographic. There is no single path to homelessness, and despite stigmatizing images, no single stereotype fits. Individuals that are chronically homeless represent a range of individual vulnerabilities and face a many of systematic barriers that impede accessing adequate housing and services. Current economic climate presents the chance for homelessness to remain high (Coalition for the Homeless, 2002a). According to research, a substantial reduction in the occurrence of chronic homelessness could be achieved by linking affordable housing with treatment and support services. Alcohol and substance abuse is known as both a precipitating factor and consequence of homelessness can effect an individual’s ability to retain housing or limit housing options offered by programs requiring sobriety, and mask underlying or related mental health issues undetected or untreated in addiction treatment programs (Zerger, 2002). Individuals who have co-occurring disorders (COD) are particularly vulnerable to homelessness caused by more severe psychiatric symptoms, self-medication with drugs and alcohol, and frequent contact with the criminal justice system. Typically, once homeless, individuals with COD will have greater problems, need more help and are more...
Words: 1250 - Pages: 5
...Policy by Karen Spuriel Coleman- MBA Abstract Homelessness among youth in the U.S. is disturbingly common, with an estimated annual prevalence of at least 5 percent for those ages 12 to 17. Although homeless youth appear throughout the nation, they are most visible in major cities. Rigorous research on this special population is sparse, making it difficult to capture an accurate and complete picture. Despite its limitations, recent research describes homeless youth as a large and diverse group. Many homeless youth have multiple overlapping problems including medical, substance abuse, and emotional and mental problems. Literature suggests that comprehensive and tailored services are needed that address both the immediate and long-term needs of homeless youth. Where appropriate, services should include assistance with meeting basic needs as perceived by youth as a gateway to other needed services. In addition to serving those already homeless, interventions are needed to prevent homelessness among at-risk youth. Lessons for Practitioners, Policy Makers, and Researchers • As used here, the term “homeless youth” focuses on minors who have experienced literal homelessness on their own—i.e., who have spent at least one night either in a shelter or "on the streets" without adult supervision. On occasion, where warranted by the research being discussed, the term is also used to describe homeless young adults up to age 24. • Homelessness among youth in the U.S. is disturbingly common...
Words: 15735 - Pages: 63
...Homelessness is a social issue that has gained ground in the contemporary world. It is considered as lack of access to housing or shelter leading to living in the streets or alternative places. The articles state that that homelessness is one of the serious issues that is under debate in the world. “Despite the effects done to ensure that this does not happen, there is always an increase in the number of people without houses,” (Bamrah, S., et al. 1417). In the United States, 5% of the population do not have houses and end up in streets. This does not mean that the state has not constructed enough houses, but because varied reasons the people left their homes for the streets. The rate of homelessness in the world is increasing. The authors...
Words: 616 - Pages: 3
...Running head: Sociology AIU-Online Sandra Fitzhugh Homelessness Abstract Homelessness today is increasing at a large rate and is an issue for today’s society. Although there are a lot of people in this situation such as our middle class who was once in place of good standing now face homelessness in alarming numbers across the country. Homelessness can affect your community economically, socially and politically while causing concerns in the area of public safety and cost of living as a whole. This paper takes a look at the reasons there is homelessness in our society today and the things we together can do to get this situation in control to help those who need it most. When we look at homeless people we as a society always want to make an assumption of people who are homeless not knowing the underlying reason that cause people to be in this situation in the first place such as economic strife of losing their job after working for a company for 20 years or more and being replaced with someone who is younger. Homelessness means a person having no shelter of their own or a name on a lease. Even though there are studies that say that homelessness is because of drug abuse, depression and other disorders and that is a choice there are several other factors that contribute to people being homeless like the wars, unemployment, foreclosures and the break up of families all play an important part as to why people find themselves on the streets. There are a lot...
Words: 599 - Pages: 3
...Homelessness Around the U.S. and World In my book, Paper Things, by Jennifer Jacobson, the main character Ari, is homeless. This has a significant effect on both herself and other characters in the book. Homelessness is very common in the U.S. and other countries. If you are wondering what homelessness is, it means you don't have a permanent dwelling house or apartment (place to live). Typically when you are homeless, you ask for money from other people. According to the website, homeless.org.uk, it costs about $35,000 out of pocket to give to the homeless. When you are homeless, you normally have no money resulting in asking for it from others. Also, when you are homeless, there may be many attacks on it. Many people disagree with the fact that people are homeless. The website money.howstuffworks.org said over the last decade,over 600 attacks were made on homeless. The same article also told that you are more vulnerable for abuse....
Words: 504 - Pages: 3
...Homelessness is a huge social problem that is facing America as a nation today. According to Wikipedia 'Homelessness describes the condition of people without a regular dwelling' (Wikipedia.(2013). Homelessness. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homelessnes). Homelessness has become a huge problem that looks us in the face daily and is putting a large number of children, teenagers,women and our elderly at risk daily. It impacts our society negatively. According to National Alliance to end Homelessness, '82 people experiencing homelessness on any given night in the United States.Of that number, 239,403 are people in families, and 394,379 are individuals. Slightly fewer than 16 percent of the homeless population are considered "chronically homeless,"and About 13 percent of homeless adults- 62,619 - are veterans. '(National alliance to End Homelessness.(2013). Snapshot of homelessness. Retrieved from http://www.endhomelessness.org/pages/snapshot_of_homelessness)'. Some of the causes of homelessness and the extent homelessness affects our society today are as follows- Domestic violence is one of the leading causes of homelessness in the U.S. Statisctics show that in 2008 28% of families where homeless in the united states due to domestic violence.(National Homeless Organization.(2013). Domestic Violence and Homelessness . Retrived from www.nationalhomeless.org/factsheets/domestic). Over the years our society has seen a surge in violence largely due to media...
Words: 952 - Pages: 4
...determinants of health and disease in the community, and investigate and evaluate interventions to prevent disease and maintain health. (Stanhope & Lancaster, 2012). Epidemiology today is considered to be the core science of public health and is described as a constellation of disciplines with a common mission: optimal health for the whole community (Stanhope & Lancaster, 2008). Epidemiology has reformed public health and continues to strive for disease prevention and health promotion in communities across the world. The population and disease that will be discussed in relation to epidemiology in this paper with be of HIV in the homeless population. This paper will focus on the homeless population in regards to their vulnerability and susceptibility to HIV, along with the epidemiology and levels of prevention. This paper will also discuss the definition and purpose of epidemiology, epidemiological methods, the...
Words: 1966 - Pages: 8
...HARLEM UNITED COMMUNITY AIDS CENTER 2014 PROGRAM GUIDE TABLE OF CONTENTS ADHCs ADULT DAY HEALTH CARE (ADHC) EAST - EL FARO............................................................................................................... 5 ADULT DAY HEALTH CARE (ADHC) WEST ............................................................................................................................. 6 HEALTH SERVICES DENTAL CLINIC .................................................................................................................................................................... 8 MOBILE HEALTH PROGRAM................................................................................................................................................. 9 PRIMARY CARE .................................................................................................................................................................. 11 HOUSING FOUNDATION HOUSE EAST ............................................................................................................................................... 13 FOUNDATION HOUSE NORTH (FHN) & FOUNDATION HOUSE SOUTH (FHS) ....................................................................... 14 FOUNDATION HOUSE WEST (FHW) .................................................................................................................................... 15 HRA SCATTER-SITE HOUSING ................................................
Words: 9579 - Pages: 39
...People with a mental disability • People with HIV or AIDS • People with a physical disability • Poor individuals • Older adults • Individuals with substance addictions • Survivors of domestic violence • Unemployed individuals Using Ch. 2 of Human Services in Contemporary America, complete the table for the chosen groups by writing a 60- to 85-word response in each column. An example has been completed as a guide. |Group |Conditions of or problems facing the |Unmet needs |Description of organizations or |How the organization or program meets the | | |group in need | |programs meeting the needs |needs | |Children in need |Children can be endangered because |Children need physical care and |Each state differs. Some states have |The local department addressing human | | |they need adults to care for them. |protection from older, abusive |government organizations, such as a |services may have the resources to provide| | |They can experience problems with |children or adults. Children also |Department of Human Services or a |food, shelter, and mental health care for | | |education, poverty, homelessness, and|need food, clothing, and shelter |Department...
Words: 1422 - Pages: 6
...215 Spadina Avenue, Suite 120 Toronto, Ontario M5T 2C7, Canada The National Center on Family Homelessness, 181 Wells Avenue, Newton, MA 02459, USA Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, USA Abstract: Outreach and engagement are regarded by many who work in homeless programs as essential services. Outreach on the streets and in shelters is often the first point of contact for people who are not served by traditional sitebased services and is often the first step in engaging homeless people in services. While outreach and engagement are critical components of the response to homelessness, consensus is lacking about the nature and effectiveness of these services. The purpose of this paper is to examine what is known about outreach and engagement for people experiencing homelessness. The authors review quantitative studies that examine outcomes and augment this understanding with information from qualitative studies and non-research literature. The latter provides information about the goals of outreach, assumptions and values, staffing issues, and consumer involvement. The paper concludes with implications for practice, policy, and research. Keywords: Homeless/homelessness, outreach, engagement, review. INTRODUCTION At a recent discussion among outreach workers in Washington, DC, one participant described the reasons for providing outreach to people experiencing homelessness: “Waiting for people to come to us didn’t work…so what we’re doing is going to where people...
Words: 11383 - Pages: 46
...homeless population in the United States is at a staggering high, and many individuals are suffering because many lack employment/financial resources, housing resources, support from family and friends, and others negligence; such as natural disasters or fires. Homeless individuals may have no other choice than to live on the streets, trains, and alley ways to name a few places where homeless people seek shelter. The history of homelessness, social problems, demographics, common clinical issues, and intervention/future interventions will be explored to determinate how homelessness is caused and how it can diminish with time. Homelessness has been around for some time and is increasing with time. Homelessness was noticed soon after the Great Depression, which caused many people to lose his or hers home. “During the Great Depression in the 1930, many families were no longer able to afford their homes and It is thought that over two million people were homeless at this time and suffered severely from hunger and extreme poverty” (American History Of Homelessness, 2011). The Great Depression was an era of life where the stock market crashed and many where out of jobs and many lost their home. “The Great Depression began in October 1929, which sent Wall Street into a panic and wiped out millions of investors. Consumer spending and investment dropped, causing steep declines in industrial output and rising levels of unemployment” (The Great Depression, 2013). When the Great Depression occurred...
Words: 1503 - Pages: 7
...homeless population in the United States is at a staggering high, and many individuals are suffering because many lack employment/financial resources, housing resources, support from family and friends, and others negligence; such as natural disasters or fires. Homeless individuals may have no other choice than to live on the streets, trains, and alley ways to name a few places where homeless people seek shelter. The history of homelessness, social problems, demographics, common clinical issues, and intervention/future interventions will be explored to determinate how homelessness is caused and how it can diminish with time. Homelessness has been around for some time and is increasing with time. Homelessness was noticed soon after the Great Depression, which caused many people to lose his or hers home. “During the Great Depression in the 1930, many families were no longer able to afford their homes and It is thought that over two million people were homeless at this time and suffered severely from hunger and extreme poverty” (American History Of Homelessness, 2011). The Great Depression was an era of life where the stock market crashed and many where out of jobs and many lost their home. “The Great Depression began in October 1929, which sent Wall Street into a panic and wiped out millions of investors. Consumer spending and investment dropped, causing steep declines in industrial output and rising levels of unemployment” (The Great Depression, 2013). When the Great Depression occurred...
Words: 1503 - Pages: 7
