Article
Authors: Marielle E Meurice (Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of California Irvine, Orange, California) , Christine Todd (Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sunrise Health Graduate Medical Consortium, Las Vegas, Nevada) , Patrick B Barlow (Department of Internal Medicine, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa) , Anne H. Gaglioti (Department of Family Medicine, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia) , Lindsay Goad (Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Denver, Colorado) , Abbey Hardy-Fairbanks (Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa) , Colleen K Stockdale (Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa)
Context: Homeless individuals have comparatively poorer health, however few gender specific assessments exist.
Purpose: This cross-sectional survey of homeless individuals assesses gender-specific health needs.
Procedure: 68 Homeless adults were surveyed at a shelter from March to April, 2015 in Iowa City, IA. Descriptive statistics were computed to compare gender-subgroup responses.
Main Findings: The study population was predominately male (45, 67.2%), white (37, 54.4%), and averaged 42.35 years old (range 21-74). Males were more likely to be veterans (13, 28.9% vs. 1, 4.5%, p=0.025). Women were more likely to have dependents (9, 47.4% vs. 1, 4%, p=0.001) and access to dental coverage (16, 80% vs. 12, 30.8%, p=0.001). Similar rates of chronic disease, primary care access, and unmet health needs were noted.
Conclusions: Homeless women and men have unique needs and would benefit from gender-specific health interventions. Resources for child-care may be important for women who are homeless, while dental health care may be particularly beneficial for men.
Keywords: Homeless health, underserved medicine, health inequalities, women’s health, men’s health, unmet health needs
How to Cite: Meurice, M. E. , Todd, C. , Barlow, P. B. , Gaglioti, A. H. , Goad, L. , Hardy-Fairbanks, A. & Stockdale, C. K. (2020) “Unique health needs and characteristics of homeless women in Iowa City, Iowa”, Proceedings in Obstetrics and Gynecology. 9(3). doi: https://doi.org/10.17077/2154-4751.1455