Health Equity

Housing Is an Essential Part of Health Care—“Treat ‘Em and House ‘Em”

Abstract: People experiencing homelessness bear a disproportionate burden of chronic illnesses and are unable to consistently practice social isolation; unsurprisingly, they have been disproportionately affected by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

Publication: JAMA

Date Published: March 2, 2021

Author(s): Joshua A. Barocas, MD and Esther K. Choo, MD, MPH

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This analysis of California’s state budget from 2007 to 2018 finds that to ensure the long-term health of the state, California needs to eliminate health care waste and direct the savings toward increased funding for programs that improve community conditions—like public education, public health, housing assistance, food assistance, and income support.