In my capacity as a Medicaid Service Coordinator, I served adults and children with developmental disabilities. In the most practical terms, my bilingual abilities have never been put to greater use than in aiding the Hispanic community, a community I am personally acquainted with and their unique experiences and needs. Its not a responsibility to be taken lightly. The men who make the most of the program have the discipline to stick with things that may be tough. I guess Im just afraid that I wont get into any universities. National Coalition for the Homeless. National average salary: 29,728 per year. But the truth is, we really dont need that much. Addiction Can Cost You Everything. From my perspective, their circumstances (like the environment that they grew up in) have had a big impact on the position theyre in right now. Surrounded by these realities laid the groundwork in my mind for bringing about sustainable change in peoples lives, to recover from the unimaginable and go on to rise above it all, contribute to society and flourish. Infants born into homelessness have low birth weights and are nine times more likely to die within the first 12 months of life.1416 Homeless children are sick four times more often than children who are not homeless and have an increased incidence of asthma, iron deficiency, lead poisoning, respiratory infections, ear infections, gastrointestinal problems, and emotional and behavioral problems (e.g., anxiety, depression, withdrawal, aggression, hostility). US Census Bureau. December 21, 2018. And others have chosen to leave. In the introduction to this theme issue, I offer 3 reasons why we, as members of society and clinicians, are ethically obligated to offer homeless health care in the United States and to work to end homelessness: (1) homelessness harms peoples health and well-being; (2) homelessness harms the health system and health professionals; and, finally, (3) homelessness is a result of inequitable policies, practices, and choices our society has made. This isnt always about legal issues, prison, or jobs. Here are a few reasons why homeless people are homeless. During the initial clinic visit, the physician and clinic staff should focus on demonstrating genuine interest, empathy, and respect in a warm, nonthreatening, nonjudgmental environment. Mortality among unsheltered homeless adults in Boston, Massachusetts, 2000-2009. Hospital admission is required for severe cases. The homeless come from single men, single women, adolescents, and families with children. Borges LM, Barnes SM, Farnsworth JK, Bahraini NH, Brenner LA. By volunteering at the shelter, Ive seen the power of community in a few ways. At Reality Camp, I participated in an "Urban Plunge" walk.