Needs Assessment of Wellbeing and Unmet Health Needs in Homeless Persons Marielle Meurice BA, Christine Todd BA, Patrick B. Barlow PhD, Anne Gaglioti MD The University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine On any given night 600,000 people are homeless in the United States [1]. Homeless individuals have worse physical and emotional health on average [1]. Shelter House (SH) is a 70 bed homeless shelter in Iowa City, which provides comprehensive services as well [2]. SH and the research team wanted to assess current wellbeing and unmet needs, as well as how needs are being met by their services. Part of capstone project for Community Health Outreach (CHO) course at CCOM. BACKGROUND METHODS Shelter House Needs Assessment Instrument Unmet Health Needs Insurance Status Current Health Information Demographics Administered to 68 individuals at SH in spring of Inclusion criteria: >18, English speaking Mixed-methods analysis of open-and-closed-ended survey items. RESULTS On average, 42 (+/- 13) years old, 66% male, 54% White, 35% Black, 21% Veterans 60% previously homeless 15% had children with them at SH. Demographics 71% current smokers 43% had at least one chronic condition. 49% on at least one prescription medication 49% identified as having PCP, 51% had seen provider in last 30 days. 54% had been to the ER in past 12m. Current Health Information Serves as preliminary result of health and wellbeing of homeless individuals in Iowa City area. Many of those surveyed had recent contact with health care providers and half had PCPs. Poor health vs. good access to health care? Dental health and mental health identified as important to subjects’ wellbeing and most common unmet health needs. Smoking cessation and enrollment in health insurance also promising. Further research is needed, but needs assessments made in collaboration with community organizations may be tool to assess wellness and unmet health needs in homeless individuals. CONCLUSIONS John and Eloise Mountain Wright Mini- Grant for Service to the Community ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 1.Fazel S, Geddes JR, Kushel M. The health of homeless people in high-income countries: descriptive epidemiology, health consequences, and clinical and policy recommendations. Lancet. 2014;384(9953): What We Do - Shelter House. Shelter House Available at: Accessed April 3, 2016 Unmet Health Needs Unmet health needs: reported in 19% Dental (31%), mental health (23%) Topics important to overall wellbeing: Dental (54%), mental health (48%) Health care coverage: 72% some form State/Federal: 87%, VA: 9%, private: 4% Prescription drug coverage: 61% Dental Insurance: 43% Insurance Status References Perceived Rating of Overall and Mental Health Response Theme Frequency (%) n=13 Representative Quotes(s) Dental4 (30.8%) “I haven’t taken advantage of the dental exams at the shelter” Mental Health3 (23.1%) “I need to be seeing a psychiatrist on a regular basis.” Other3 (23.1%) “But it’s due to my own negligence, not inability to access care.” Chronic Conditions2 (15.4%) “Some medicine not covered by insurance.” Did not respond1 (7.7%) n/a Unmet Health Needs