Research shows that 71% of people experiencing homelessness have a mental illness or suffer from post-traumatic stress. Additionally, 59% are dealing with long-term substance use disorders (SUDs).1
Both mental illness and substance use disorders interrupt people suffering from these illnesses from completing daily tasks such as maintaining stable relationships, working, and seeking appropriate healthcare. This, in combination with the stigma in accessing behavioral or substance use recovery treatment, often keeps people from the basic services they need.
As family physicians, you are often the first level of contact with a patient dealing with these co-concurrent conditions. Learn more about the unique needs of this disparate population so you can be their best advocate for health.
Now you can self-study and join your peers during November’s Health Equity & Social Justice Discussion Club!
Health Equity for Marginalized Populations Struggling with Homelessness, Mental Health, and Substance Use Disorder – Curated Virtual Content Now Available!
Tuesday, November 29 @ 7:30 p.m.
Discussion Registration
Recommended Resources
Discussion Questions
Moderator: Dana Vallangeon, MD
Participants will review a curated selection of virtual content including videos, articles, and blogs to inform their discussion. Learners are encouraged to consume as much of the materials as they wish by working independently and applying their knowledge to their medical pursuits. Pick and choose the content that best suits your interests and lifestyle!
- Why homelessness, mental health, and substance use disorder are inter-related
- The best practices for delivering optimal primary care to patients struggling with these three conditions
- The challenges and rewards of providing care to this patient population
- Discussion on resources and tools available to assist family physicians help their patients achieve better health outcomes.
Background
The Ohio Academy of Family Physicians (OAFP) Health Equity & Social Justice Discussion Club is a safe and respectful virtual space to discuss important literature, media, and current events on topics of social justice and health equity – all from the comfort of your home or office. Guided conversations provide unique opportunities for insightful reflection and open minded sharing with your peers. Sessions will take place via Zoom under the guidance of a physician moderator. Registration is free and open to all OAFP members as a benefit of membership.
The Health Equity & Social Justice Discussion Club will alternate between traditional books and a curated collection of virtual content. You do not have to read the entire book or all of the virtual content to participate! All points of view are welcomed and respected.
Members participating in the Health Equity & Social Justice Discussion Club can submit a Continuing Medical Education (CME) Reporting Form to the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) member resource center to claim CME credit as a professional enrichment activity. Credit may be claimed, commensurate with participation, for partaking in other medical educational experiences and activities, such as informal self-learning activities. These activities may or may not be documented, and are not certified by the AAFP, the American Medical Association, and the American Osteopathic Association, but are of a nature of professional enrichment to the family physician.
If you have questions, please contact Executive Vice President Kate Mahler, CAE, or call 614.914.5626.
Financial support for this program was provided by the AAFP Foundation to the Family Medicine Philanthropic Consortium (FMPC) and is funded by members like you! Help programs like this continue to support family medicine by giving to the AAFP Foundation. Select “Chapter Grants” when making your gift online. Thank you!
1: Stringfellow, E. Kim, T., Pollio, D. et al. February 20, 2015. Primary Care Provider Experience and Social Support Among Homeless-Experienced Persons With Tri-Morbidity. Addiction Science and Clinical Practice.