Homeless families and their children's health problems. A Utah urban experience

Abstract

Descriptive information was obtained about homeless families in the Intermountain West and their children's health care needs were defined to help professionals develop programs tailored to meet the unique needs of this population. We collected data during the well-child visits of 306 children in 161 families living at the Travelers Aid Society family shelter. The results reveal 2 types of homeless families, episodic and long term. Each requires different levels of assistance. This study's profile of mobile, predominantly white, 2-parent families with few children (mean of 1.2) differs considerably from that of studies conducted on the East and West coasts. The families' nomadic life-style (73.1% came from 32 states other than Utah) present important public health issues, especially because of the recent resurgence of tuberculosis and declining levels of childhood immunizations. The children's health problems were similar to those reported nationally: delayed immunizations, dental decay, anemia, and impaired vision.