Taking HIV Care to The Streets: How Street Medicine Meets the Unsheltered Homeless Where They're At

Taking HIV Care to The Streets: How Street Medicine Meets the Unsheltered Homeless Where They're At is organized by UK HealthCare CECentral.

Start Date: Jun 1, 2024
End Date: Jun 1, 2027

Description:
According to the CDC 36,136 people received an HIV diagnosis in the United States and dependent areas in 2021. The annual number of new diagnoses decreased 7% from 2017 to 2021. It is critical for professionals to have current knowledge to provide effective treatment and education for patients. The CDC also states that Kentucky is at high risk for an HIV outbreak if introduced into the drug using population. HIV therapy was previously limited due to lack of treatment options, but more therapy options increase choice for patient treatment and challenges for providers. Screening for drug misuse is critical to the prevention of or early intervention in addiction.
Street Medicine (SM) involves delivering healthcare to unsheltered homeless individuals in their environment, focusing on trust and rapport-building. The philosophy of SM emphasizes addressing social determinants of health to provide comprehensive care to this vulnerable population. SM values establishing long-term relationships with patients to achieve better health outcomes and support their well-being by breaking barriers to care by meeting homeless individuals where they are, providing medical assistance and holistic support and reducing health disparities through targeted outreach, preventive care, mental health services, and substance abuse treatment.

Objectives:
Upon completion of this activity, participants will be able to:
• Discuss the Philosophy and History of Street Medicine (SM): Review the origins, philosophy, and evolution of the street medicine movement as shared by Jim, recognizing how this approach specifically addresses the unique needs of unsheltered homeless populations.
• Recognize the Impact of HIV Among Unhoused Populations: Attendees will gain insights into the significant burden of HIV among unhoused populations and understand why addressing this issue is critical for meeting national End the HIV Epidemic (EHE) goals.
• Explore the Syndemic Approach to HIV Care: Attendees will be introduced to the concept of a syndemic approach, which considers the interaction of HIV with other social and health issues, and how this approach can be effectively applied using the street medicine toolkit to better serve homeless populations with HIV.
• Describe Operational Models of HIV Street Medicine: The audience will explore various operational models of street medicine tailored to the HIV care of homeless individuals, particularly those models implemented in California, to identify actionable strategies and best practices.