Preventive Health Care Visits Less Likely Among Youth Who Experienced Homelessness Compared To Stably Housed Youth

Compared to youth with stable housing, preventive health care visits are less likely among youth who experienced homelessness. Preventive visits were less likely among youth who experienced either family homelessness (86% chance of preventive health care visits), or unaccompanied homelessness (70% chance of  preventive health care visits), compared to stably housed youth.

The researchers concluded that pediatric primary care may be a natural point of intervention to identify and mitigate the risk of unstable housing. Pediatric primary care may also be a good starting point to connect adolescents and their families with resources, address health concerns, and foster protective factors . . .