No city in the United States currently has enough shelter beds to house all the men, women, and children who will need them tonight. Consequently, communities work to increase the number and improve the quality of the shelter beds that are available. Council members continue to create materials that reflect what shelter and medical providers have learned about providing shelter that is respectful, safe, and healthy for the men, women, and children who seek it.
Serious health problems are common among homeless persons, and shelter settings may pose or exacerbate particular health risks for residents and service providers, as well as opportunities for important health care interventions. This guide has been designed for communities where providers of shelter and other services can come together, learn about and discuss the issues, and plan individual and collaborative solutions. The guide is not intended to be a step-by-step “how-to” manual for setting up
shelter services, but rather aims to provide tools and support to help shelter providers respond more effectively to the health needs of residents.
This practical manual is for homeless shelters and other service providers as they plan for and respond to the special needs of homeless individuals during the influenza season. Different facilities will need to tailor the guidance to meet the specific needs of their staff and the people they serve. The manual consolidates a number of materials developed by credible authorities.
Health in Shelters (2006)
PowerPoint presentation by Bob Donovan, MD, Cincinnati Health Network, Inc. Focuses on communicable diseases and general prevention measures.
The Health Care of Homeless Persons: A Manual of Communicable Diseases & Common Problems in Shelters & on the Streets (2004)
A 384-page manual that describes serious health problems that commonly afflict homeless persons and discusses appropriate responses and treatment. The manual addresses communicable disease control and food handling in shelter settings, and current approaches to the management of chronic diseases. It includes convenient patient education materials in English and Spanish that can be easily reproduced and given to shelter guests and staff.