Homelessness

Pained ◽  
2020 ◽  
pp. 171-174
Author(s):  
Michael D. Stein ◽  
Sandro Galea
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Support Services ◽  
Housing First ◽  
Health Conditions ◽  
Supportive Services ◽  
Housing Stability ◽  
One Step

This chapter assesses the effects of homelessness on public health. Homelessness has the power to move people to action like few other issues. Unfortunately, efforts to tackle homelessness have fallen short. Historically, making housing contingent on sobriety and employment has imperiled millions. Encouragingly, Housing First—a program that provides housing and support services without requiring employment or pretreatment for mental health conditions and substance use disorders—has started to gain traction. The program has led to improvements in housing stability, reduced hospitalizations and use of emergency departments, and better quality of life. Adding to the challenge, however, is the fact that over 8 million more Americans are just one step away from homelessness. Unlike the homeless, they are often invisible. Preventing homelessness in these lower income households requires the creation of a living wage. Prevention is also about identifying risk and providing supportive services when an individual or family is on the brink.

Improving quality of life assessments for high-need adult Medicaid service users with mental health conditions

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adrienne Nevola ◽  
Michael E. Morris ◽  
Holly C. Felix ◽  
Teresa Hudson ◽  
Nalin Payakachat ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Conditions ◽  
Service Users ◽  
Mental Health Conditions ◽  
Medicaid Service

Measuring the effects of 3d Immersion Technology (3Scape) on mental health in outpatients from the START program at Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital: a feasibility study (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antonio Miguel-Cruz ◽  
Anna-Maria Ladurner ◽  
Megan Kohls-Wiebe ◽  
David Rawani ◽  
Fiona Jaffray
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Standard Of Care ◽  
Health Conditions ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Day Hospital ◽  
Rehabilitation Hospital ◽  
Randomized Controlled

BACKGROUND Mental health is a prevalent condition amongst Canadians. Mental health conditions are the leading cause of disability, as each year 1 in 5 Canadians experiences a mental health issue. Five percent of people aged 65 years and older perceive their mental health as fair or poor, and 6.3% of them have mood disorders. Regarding older adults with cognitive impairments such as dementias, up to 40 to 50 per cent of them experience depression at some point. We believe that older adults can benefit significantly from information and telecommunication technologies (ICTs) as a strategy for improving mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety, while at the same time improving their quality of life. 3Scape Systems Inc. is an Albertan-based private company that has produced a series of specialized 3D videos that have been designed to simulate real-life events and engage individuals living with mental health disorders and cognitive impairments such as dementia. OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study is to explore the trial design and effects of 3Scape videos on older adults’ symptoms of depression, anxiety, and quality of life, as well as the efficacy of this technology in reducing the caregiver burden on the START Psychiatry Day Hospital program at Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital (GRH), and to provide data in order to estimate the parameters required to design a definitive Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT). METHODS The trial will use a randomized controlled design comprising 15 intervention participants and 15 control group participants. The participants will be adults aged 65 years and older who are cognitively intact or who have a minimal cognitive impairment, i.e. Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MOCA) ≥18), and clients from the START Psychiatry Day Hospital program at GRH. This study’s primary outcome variables are related to the clients’ depressive and anxiety symptoms, and their quality of life. The control group will receive the standard of care (i.e. the START Psychiatry Day Hospital program at GRH). The intervention group will receive the same standard of care as the control group at each facility and will use the 3Scape Systems videos for the therapeutic activities. RESULTS Our study is currently on hold due to the Covid-19 global pandemic. The recruitment process is expected to resume by November 2020 and the primary impact analysis is expected to be conducted by February 2021. CONCLUSIONS This study will provide valuable information such as the measurement of comparative intervention effects, perception of older adults and hand therapists about the 3Scape Systems, the associated costs of treatment, and product costings. This will contribute to the evidence planning process, which will be crucial for the future adoption of the 3Scape Systems. CLINICALTRIAL International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID): ISRCTN: 93685907 (available at https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN93685907)

scholarly journals Quality of life in people living with HIV in Romania and Spain

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (S2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Meaghan Kall ◽  
Ujué Fresán ◽  
Danielle Guy ◽  
Graham Brown ◽  
Cristina Burgui ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Conditions ◽  
People Living With Hiv ◽  
Health Related Quality ◽  
Self Rated Health ◽  
Related Quality ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Living With Hiv

Abstract Background Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is a crucial component in assessing and addressing the unmet needs of people, especially those with chronic illnesses such as HIV. The aim of the study was to examine and compare the health-related quality of life of people living with HIV in Romania and Spain, compared to the general populations of each country. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted among adults (≥ 18 years) attending for HIV care in Romania and Spain from October 2019 to March 2020. The survey included two validated HRQoL instruments: a generic instrument, EQ-5D-5L, and an HIV-specific instrument, PozQoL, and questions on socio-demographics, HIV-related characteristics, physical and mental health conditions, and substance use. Multivariable linear regression was used to determine factors associated with HRQoL. Results 570 people living with HIV responded (170 in Romania and 400 in Spain). The median age was 31 (18–67) in Romania and 52 (19–83) in Spain. Anxiety/depression symptoms were frequently reported by people with HIV (Romania: 50% vs 30% in the Romanian population; Spain: 38% vs 15% in Spanish population). Spain reported higher mean EQ-5Dutility scores than Romania (0.88 and 0.85, respectively) but identical PozQoL scores (3.5, on a scale of 0–5). In both countries, health concerns were highlighted as a key issue for people with HIV. In multivariable analysis, two factors were consistently associated with worse HRQoL in people with HIV: bad or very bad self-rated health status and presence of a mental health condition. In Romania, being gay/bisexual and being disabled/unemployed were associated with worse HRQoL. Whereas in Spain, older age and financial insecurity were significant predictors. Conclusions Our results indicated a good HRQoL for people living with HIV in Romania and Spain; however, worse HRQoL profiles were characterized by health concerns, poor self-rated health status, and the presence of mental health conditions. This study highlights the importance of monitoring HRQoL in people living with HIV due to the chronic nature of the disease. In this highly-treatment experienced group, disparities were found, particularly highlighting mental health as an area which needs more attention to improve the well-being of people living with HIV.

scholarly journals Ageing on the autism spectrum: A 4-year follow-up study of mental health and quality of life in autistic adults

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dr Amanda Roestorf ◽  
Patricia Howlin ◽  
Dermot M. Bowler
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Autistic Traits ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Health Conditions ◽  
Depression Symptoms ◽  
Mental Health Conditions ◽  
Autistic Adults

Background: Poor mental health is known to adversely affect functional abilities, social isolation and quality of life (QoL). It is, therefore, crucial to consider the long-term impacts of mental health conditions as autistic adults grow older. Objectives: Our objectives were to understand the extent of: (i) autistic traits, co-occurring physical and mental health conditions; (ii) age-related differences in those conditions; and (iii) their impact on everyday living and QoL. Method: Fifty-two autistic adults (aged 18-79 years) participated in the first study (T1); 28 took part in a follow-up at T2 (mean retest interval 2.5 years). Standardised self-report measures of autistic traits, mental health and QoL were completed at both time points. Results: Over half of autistic adults experienced at least one co-occurring condition, and over a third met the criteria for 3+ conditions. Depression symptoms were particularly high in autistic women. Mental and physical health problems were related to autistic traits, difficulties in everyday life, and were a strong and consistent predictor of poor QoL (T1; T2) across the lifespan. Conclusion: Our findings highlighted that mental health difficulties persisted into older age and did not reduce over time. Together, these findings raise important questions about mental health provision in adult autism.

scholarly journals Inevitable aging and the resultant mental disorders In developing countries: a sociological appraisal

2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 01-03
Author(s):  
Mohammad Sheykhi
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Disorders ◽  
Structural Changes ◽  
Heart Function ◽  
Health Conditions ◽  
Medical Sciences ◽  
Effects Of Aging

Aging is inevitably associated with a large number of body functions including the mental health. In addition to that, heart function, emotions, moods etc. could be mentioned as the results of gradual aging. Such conditions are usually accompanied with increase in medications consumption and decline in quality of life. Though usually medical sciences study mental health conditions, sociology also needs to be applied to appraise the "cause and effect" of mental health. As life expectancy is globally increasing, more and more people are subject to mental disorders, Alzheimer's disorders, dementia, depression and many more, as the effects of aging extensively impact mental health. Therefore, under the conditions of rapid aging, geriatrics needs to be strengthened and improved as much as possible to safeguard mental health. However, structural changes in terms of biological, physical, psychological and chemical reactions which inevitably occur with aging, need prevention and appropriate medication, and other investments in long term, and if not, other vulnerabilities will inevitably appear.

scholarly journals Inevitable aging and the resultant mental disorders In developing countries: a sociological appraisal

2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 01-03
Author(s):  
Mohammad Sheykhi
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Disorders ◽  
Structural Changes ◽  
Heart Function ◽  
Health Conditions ◽  
Medical Sciences ◽  
Effects Of Aging

Aging is inevitably associated with a large number of body functions including the mental health. In addition to that, heart function, emotions, moods etc. could be mentioned as the results of gradual aging. Such conditions are usually accompanied with increase in medications consumption and decline in quality of life. Though usually medical sciences study mental health conditions, sociology also needs to be applied to appraise the "cause and effect" of mental health. As life expectancy is globally increasing, more and more people are subject to mental disorders, Alzheimer's disorders, dementia, depression and many more, as the effects of aging extensively impact mental health. Therefore, under the conditions of rapid aging, geriatrics needs to be strengthened and improved as much as possible to safeguard mental health. However, structural changes in terms of biological, physical, psychological and chemical reactions which inevitably occur with aging, need prevention and appropriate medication, and other investments in long term, and if not, other vulnerabilities will inevitably appear.

scholarly journals Associations of resilience with quality of life levels in adults experiencing homelessness and mental illness: a longitudinal study

2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Cilia Mejia-Lancheros ◽  
Julia Woodhall-Melnik ◽  
Ri Wang ◽  
Stephen W. Hwang ◽  
Vicky Stergiopoulos ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Housing First ◽  
Life Outcomes ◽  
Global Quality ◽  
Global Quality Of Life ◽  
Related Quality ◽  
Health Related

Abstract Background Homelessness constitutes a traumatic period that adversely impacts health and quality of life outcomes. The potential mitigating effects of resilience on quality of life levels in people experiencing homelessness are underresearched. This study assesses the longitudinal associations between resilience and quality of life scores among adults experiencing homelessness and mental illness. Methods This study is a secondary analysis of longitudinal data collected over 6 years from participants (N = 575) of the At Home/Chez Soi study on Housing First, Toronto site. Repeatedly measured resilience scores are the primary exposure and repeatedly measured global quality of life scores and mental health-specific quality of life scores are the primary outcomes. Mixed effect models were used to assess the association between the exposures and the outcomes. Results The majority of the participants were men (69.2%) and were on average 40.4 (± 11.8) years old at baseline. The average resilience score ranged between 5.00 to 5.62 over 8 data collection points across the 6-year follow-up period. After adjusting for gender, age, ethno-racial background, Housing First intervention, physical and mental comorbidities, and lifetime homelessness, higher resilience scores were positively associated with higher Global quality of life (Adjusted-coefficient: 0.23, 95% CI 0.19–0.27) and mental health-related quality of life values (Adjusted-coefficient: 4.15, 95% CI 3.35–4.95). Conclusion In homeless adults with mental illness, higher resilience levels were positively associated with higher global and mental health related quality of life values. Further interventions and services aimed to enhance resilience mechanisms and strategies are warranted to enhance better mental health and quality of life outcomes of this population group. Trial registration At Home/Chez Soi trial was registered with ISRCTN, ISRCTN42520374. Registered 18 September 2009, http://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN42520374.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document