Material Hardship and Health Outcomes Among Unhoused People Who Use Drugs
Author Information
Author(s): Goldshear Jesse Lloyd, Ganesh Siddhi S., Borquez Annick, Gelberg Lillian, Corsi Karen F., Bluthenthal Ricky N.
Primary Institution: University of California, San Diego
Hypothesis
We expected a relationship between difficulty accessing material resources and experience of displacement, non-fatal overdose, experiences of withdrawal, and experience of physical violence.
Conclusion
The study found distinct differences in resource access and material hardship among unhoused people who use drugs, linked to various health outcomes.
Supporting Evidence
- Participants in the 'High Difficulty' class had high probabilities of difficulty accessing all five resources.
- Significant differences in experiences of displacement and health outcomes were found between material hardship classes.
- Participants in Denver had greater material difficulties and were more often forcibly displaced.
Takeaway
This study shows that people who are homeless and use drugs often struggle to get basic things like food and shelter, which can make them even sicker.
Methodology
Data were collected from a prospective cohort study of people who inject drugs in Los Angeles and Denver, using latent class analysis to assess material hardship.
Potential Biases
Self-report data may be biased by participant recall and social desirability.
Limitations
The study's results may not be generalizable to other locations and are based on cross-sectional data, limiting causal interpretations.
Participant Demographics
Participants were primarily male (79%), with a mean age of 39.8 years, and included a diverse racial/ethnic background.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.05
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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