It is estimated that about half of all homeless people suffer from chronic medical conditions. Unfortunately, these people frequently encounter many more barriers to care than the general population – exacerbating their health problems. The plight of homeless people with diabetes is particularly severe, since managing the condition requires adherence to a demanding care plan. In this article, which focuses on provision of care in North America, Shirley Chiu and Stephen W Hwang examine barriers to healthcare among homeless people, highlighting the challenges faced by those with diabetes, and identify strategies to improve care for this vulnerable population.
homeless people, private insurance, diet, insulin, barriers to care