How hospitals can help communities respond to homelessness

Dora Barilla, DrPH, group vice president of community health investment, and Rishi Manchanda, MD MPH, CEO of HealthBegins, are addressing homelessness in the face of the coronavirus pandemic. They are calling on hospital systems to join in on efforts to serve the poor and vulnerable populations.

“According to conservative estimates, more than 21,000 people experiencing homelessness could be hospitalized due to COVID-19. For those who recover, where will they go? Hundreds of thousands more could be infected — without homes, where will they stay? Without safe ways to care for people without homes, how will communities prevent the virus from spreading? What will happen to unsheltered people when the pandemic threat is diminished?”

They are calling on hospitals to:

  1. Provide emergency funds and long-term support for essential services
  2. Support public health response efforts
  3. Fast-track steps to house and care for people without homes
  4. Accelerate “Housing First” and other efforts to end homelessness

Read more on how hospitals can strengthen community-led efforts responding to homelessness.

About the Author

The Providence News Team brings you the updates to keep you informed about what's happening across the organizational ecosystem. From partnerships to new doctor announcements, we are committed to keeping you informed.

More Content by Providence News Team
Previous Article
What will healthcare look like post-COVID?
What will healthcare look like post-COVID?

Providence CEO, Rod Hochman, and entrepreneur Mark Cuban discuss the business of healthcare in a post-COVID...

Next Article
Dr. George Diaz has hope for coronavirus treatments and cures
Dr. George Diaz has hope for coronavirus treatments and cures

Dr. George Diaz speaks with Fox News on the prospects for remdesivir as a potential treatment for the coron...