1. The Association of Residential Instability and Hospitalizations among Homeless and Vulnerably Housed Individuals: Results from a Prospective Cohort Study.
- Author
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Gadermann AM, Karim ME, Norena M, Emerson SD, Hubley AM, Russell LB, Nisenbaum R, Hwang SW, Aubry T, and Palepu A
- Subjects
- Adult, British Columbia, Female, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Prospective Studies, Self Report, Surveys and Questionnaires, Vulnerable Populations statistics & numerical data, Ill-Housed Persons psychology, Ill-Housed Persons statistics & numerical data, Hospitalization statistics & numerical data, Housing statistics & numerical data, Mental Health statistics & numerical data, Vulnerable Populations psychology
- Abstract
The present study examined the association of residential instability with hospitalizations among homeless and vulnerably housed individuals over a 4-year time period. Survey data were linked to administrative records on hospitalizations. Specifically, we used data from the Health and Housing in Transition study, a prospective cohort study that tracked the health and housing status of homeless and vulnerably housed individuals in Canada. Responses from Vancouver-based participants (n = 378) from baseline and 3 follow-ups were linked to their administrative health records on hospitalizations (Discharge Abstract Database - Hospital Separation Files; 2008-2012). A generalized estimating equations model was used to examine associations between the number of residential moves and any hospitalizations during each year (none versus ≥ 1 hospitalizations). Analyses included demographic and health variables. Survey data were collected via structured interviews. Hospitalizations were derived from provincial administrative health records. A higher number of residential moves were associated with hospitalization over the study period (adjusted odds ratio: 1.14; 95% confidence interval: 1.01, 1.28). Transgender, female gender, perceived social support, better self-reported mental health, and having ≥ 3 chronic health conditions also predicted having been hospitalized over the study period, whereas high school/higher education was negatively associated with hospitalizations. Our results indicate that residential instability is associated with increased risk of hospitalization, illustrating the importance of addressing housing as a social determinant of health.
- Published
- 2020
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