Health Education Research, Vol. 16, No. 5, 593-602,
October 2001
© 2001 Oxford University Press
Developing a strategy for community-based health promotion targeting homeless populations
Department of Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Royal Free and University College Medical School, The Mortimer Market Centre, London WC1E 6AU and
1 Criminal Policy Research Unit, South Bank University, London SE1, UK
There is a need for targeted health promotion aimed at homeless populations. A survey of 100 Big Issue newspaper vendors was conducted, along with in-depth interviews and focus groups, in order to identify health promotion needs. Drug and alcohol problems, the effects of cold weather, nutritional deficiencies, and poor personal hygiene were reported as the main health concerns. However, health was not always an immediate priority for the homeless, with daily concerns predominating, such as shelter and getting money for food. A range of information needs were highlighted and a number of key health promotion topics identified. Social network and social activity data were collected from 14 Big Issue vendors to assess their penetration of groups of homeless people. Both generic and targeted health promotion activities are recommended, and the role of health advocacy and peer education should be further explored.
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N. M J Wright, C. N E Tompkins, N. S Oldham, and D. J Kay Homelessness and health: what can be done in general practice? J R Soc Med, April 1, 2004; 97(4): 170 - 173. [Full Text] [PDF] |
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