H1N1 Awareness and Protection Needed for Homeless

With the threat of a seasonal pandemic of the H1N1 virus, it seems everybody has created a contingency plan for limiting the spread of the illness. But are public health officials factoring in the unique needs of those who lack awareness of the virus, lack access to regular health care, and lack a home for self-isolation?

When a person does not have a permanent home of their own, they often have no choice but to live in a more public arrangement, such as in a motel, a tent city, a crowded shelter, or on the streets. None of these are great living arrangements for fostering good health, and they are certainly not ideal for containing a person infected with swine flu.

But much more disconcerting among providers is the lack of knowledge in the homeless community about the H1N1 virus, according to Calvin Pompana, a shelter director in Manitoba, Canada. Many do not know that the flu even exists, much less distinguish normal (and frequent) bouts of illness that arise when living on the streets with swine flu symptoms. Others do not have a clear understanding of how the disease is spread or how to protect themselves.

In Canada, providers are addressing these problems through educational outreach to homeless individuals on streets and in shelters. Some advocates are pushing for priority for homeless individuals to receive vaccinations as they become available. From a public health perspective, it would be wise to protect those without the ability to isolate themselves as a preventative measure for limiting the spread of the virus.

Finally, the public can be instrumental in helping to care for those living in public spaces. (Yup, that's you.) Be aware of homeless folks who may have unknowingly fallen victim to the virus. Call the police if you see an individual who appears to be sick and in need of help. When it comes to public health, we all have a stake in protecting each other.

Image from hmerinomx's public Flickr photo stream.