Empowering Health Education and Preventive Care for the Homeless

Throughout the month of June, I'd like to focus on the critical topics of homelessness and having access to healthcare. In my years of experience working with City Relief I've seen time and time again how not having the right information or preventative care has disastrous effects. I can't stress enough the importance of health education and preventive care initiatives specifically tailored for the unhoused community. 

Health education plays a transformative role in empowering individuals to take charge of their well-being. Early intervention, health screenings, and disease prevention improve quality of life for everyone and can ensure that conditions are treated before becoming too serious. While this is true for all of us, we usually have access to a primary car physician or even the internet, while our homeless friends usually will not.

When it comes to preventative care, obtaining and keeping eyeglasses, or even a toothbrush and toothpaste, much less being able to hold onto or refill a prescription, are infinitely more difficult when you don't have a safe place to store them. Without this type of care, many will usually use the emergency room as their first point of medical assistance which puts undue stress on the hospital and their staff. People experiencing homelessness also don't have places to adequately recover from illness and medical procedures once they've left and hospital and have to recuperate on the street!

At City Relief, we understand the significance of equipping the unhoused community with the knowledge and tools to prevent and address health issues. By partnering with organizations offering tailored health education programs, and Medicaid and Medicare, we aim to promote preventive care practices and empower individuals to make informed decisions about their health, and get the care they need. 

Together, let's break down barriers and ensure that every person, regardless of their housing situation, has access to the knowledge and tools needed to maintain good health.

Thank you for your unwavering support and commitment to building a healthier future for everyone.

With Gratitude,

Josiah Haken