Healthcare Vulnerabilities of the Homeless Population in Australia

This assignment examines the healthcare vulnerabilities of the homeless population in Australia, highlighting the increasing numbers and associated health disparities. It discusses the social determinants of health, including unemployment, unstable housing, and lack of healthcare, which contribute to poor health outcomes such as pneumonia, infectious diseases, and substance abuse. The study emphasizes the importance of addressing these vulnerabilities through policy interventions, low-cost healthcare programs, and societal efforts to combat poverty and inequality. It references data from the 2016 Census and other sources to support the findings and calls for improved healthcare access and quality for the homeless population.

HEALTHCARE VULNERABILITIES OF THE HOMELESS POPULATION
Introduction
The homeless population in Australia has amplified by 4.6 per cent since 2011 as reported by
the 2016 Census of Population and Housing conducted by the Government of Australia.
 The latest data from the census reveals a homeless population above 116,000 people with
18.7% being youth, 24.4% being seniors, 25% being indigenous aboriginal population.
The homeless: Vulnerabilities and capacity to cope
The various vulnerabilities of the homeless population includes poor health care and lack of
proper medical (Stafford & Wood, 2017).
The homeless: Social determinants of health
There are laws and policies to promote equality by the Australian Government Department of
Social Services however, the society is unfortunately unequal and prejudiced towards the
homeless population (Crisis, 2011).
Unemployment, unstable housing, scarcity of food, shortage of clean water and lack of
healthcare are issues that the homeless population has to constantly deal with.
Due to gaps in the system, domestic violence issues are on the rise leading to homelessness.
Drug and alcoholism amongst the homeless population are also increasing as cheap means to
distract themselves from the social shame or persistent hunger or anxiety of being homeless.
The homeless: Health inequalities and inequities
The homeless: Health outcomes
Conclusion
Viewed in the light of social determinants, the condition of homelessness is fundamental
reason behind poor health.
 The social determinants of health inequities and homelessness are frequently intertwined.
Homelessness generally results from accumulated undesirable social, health and economic
conditions (Stafford & Wood, 2017).
Competing needs along with food and shelter priorities are the fundamental barriers for the
homeless not reaching out for healthcare until an emergency situation arises. This leads to
presentation of advanced symptoms which when met with discriminated treatment does not get
treated properly. As for example, a diabetic homeless person might not be able to buy
medications or insulin to manage his hyperglycemia properly but might not be seeking help until
adverse detrimental health issues can be noted.
Homeless patients are also often abandoned by the society and therefore are very difficult to
reach due to them living far away from healthcare facilities, staying in isolation or places
lacking proper transportation facilities (Crisis, 2011).
Rising cost of basic needs along with expensive medical care in addition to unemployment
are reasons behind the growing number of homeless population in the society.
References
Census Au, 2016. Census of Population and Housing: Estimating homelessness, 2016.
https://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs/censusRelease12016
Crisis. (2011). Homelessness: a silent killer. A Research Briefing on Mortality Amongst Homeless People.
Davies, A., & Wood, L. J. (2018). Homeless health care: meeting the challenges of providing primary
care. Medical Journal of Australia, 209(5), 230-234.
Stafford, A., & Wood, L. (2017). Tackling health disparities for homeless. Start with social
determinants. International journal of environmental research and public health, 14(12), 1535.
A number of health outcomes are experienced by the homeless individuals, data of which could
be utilized to structure proper planning in order to improve the health and condition of the
homeless population. The various health outcomes reported encompass the following (Davies &
Wood, 2018).
Pneumonia
Diarrheal diseases
Neonatal deaths due
to diseases
HIV/AID
Alcoholism
Substance abuse
Injuries
Chronic diseases
Sepsis
Infectious diseases
Survey reflects 27.3% to be females and the major reason
behind their homelessness is domestic violence followed by
financial constraints, health problems, deteriorating mental
health and so on (Census Au, 2016).
Consequent years of homelessness might be attributed to
poverty, substance abuse, alcoholism, poor relationships,
deteriorating health along with imbalance of mental health.
Physical Abuse and prone to
violence are potential risk factor
that the homeless population
especially the women and
children are susceptible to.
Substance abuse, spread of
infectious diseases are other
factors the homeless are
vulnerable towards.
To conclude, it can be said that homelessness is a growing concern in Australia and major
steps and interventions must be planned by the government to check the situation.
Government must introduce policies to help curb poverty, inequality, increase low budget
housing schemes along with providing means of livelihood for the unemployed in addition to
modifying income policies of the country. Healthcare system must also be upgraded with
developing programmes focused on low cost treatment for the homeless population along
with providing good quality health care for the ailing homeless patients in need. Therefore,
the society needs to highlight the causal reasons behind homelessness and work to improve
the situation along with providing sufficient care to treat adverse health outcomes amongst
the homeless.