Statement of Problem
From a public health, federal authority, and societal standpoint, homeless veterans are a significant population in need of aid. Although eradicating veteran homelessness has been a priority for a national policy for over twenty years, thousands of veterans sleep on the streets every night. Over 37,500 military veterans do not have a place to sleep on any given night, and around 120,000 use emergency asylum or temporary housing (Crone et al., 2021). Not only are there a disproportionate number of veterans among the homeless population, but there are also uneven numbers of African American veterans among the homeless community. Although veteran homelessness has decreased, it is troubling that the number of black veterans suffering homelessness has not changed considerably.
Veterans who are unable to find stable housing often have health problems. Those who have served their country and are now on the streets are at increased risk of developing mental health issues, contracting communicable diseases, and being exposed to harmful chemicals. Depression, diabetes, heart disease, hepatitis, respiratory disorders, arthritis, and high blood pressure are some chronic, untreated medical diseases that plague homeless veterans. Around 90% of homeless veterans suffer from untreated medical issues, drastically reducing their quality of life and often leading to their untimely demise (Derderian et al., 2021). Few studies have focused on the health of homeless veterans of color.
Purpose of Study
The purpose of this research was to explain how homeless veterans can handle chronic health issues. The study will also ask military members what they think contributes to the problem of homelessness among their veteran peers. Members’ perspectives may deepen an understanding of the problem and persuade lawmakers to adopt sensible measures to fix it. Healthcare providers and the public health sector face a formidable challenge in meeting America’s homeless veteran population’s multifaceted and complicated medical demands. There is sufficient evidence that shows how difficult it is for homeless people to get the best medical treatment possible (Tsai et al., 2019). Transportation issues, a lack of cheap healthcare options, and a disjointed network of healthcare providers and facilities all contribute to a lack of access. In addition, the veterans’ health care eligibility process is difficult to navigate inside their affairs system. The likelihood of a veteran receiving care depends on their health assessment. Compared to their military lifestyle, where they are seen as powerful, using healthcare services can be seen as a weakness.
Significance of the Study
The significance of this research is to fill a gap in the current literature by exploring why some veteran colleagues are homeless from the perspective of current military members. The findings are important for public administration and policy because the views of service members may be beneficial in describing possible responses to the issue. Furthermore, the results and suggestions may aid in designing effective solutions for homelessness amongst military veterans, which means the research could help policy shifts in veteran affairs. Researchers and policymakers may learn more from the findings on tackling the issue. Positive social change may result from a deeper comprehension of the phenomena, the dissemination of information about its risk variables, and the use of results to inform policy development.
The researcher of this study addresses many different aspects of homelessness, including its root causes, measures that should be implemented to remedy the situation, and the effects that conflict has on the issue. No research has been done to determine how service members feel about veteran homelessness. The researcher conducted this study to establish the members’ perspectives and understand the issue further. To better meet the needs of these underserved communities, this study will also shed light on the factors currently limiting their mental and physical well-being.
References
Crone, B., Metraux, S., & Sbrocco, T. (2021). Health service access among homeless veterans: Health access challenges faced by homeless African American veterans. Journal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities, 9, 1-17. Web.
Derderian, C., Easterday, A., Driscoll, D., & Ramaswamy, S. (2021). Trends and challenges in rural homeless veterans in the United States. International Journal of Medical Students, 9(2), 117-123. Web.
Tsai, J., Blue-Howells, J., & Nakashima, J. (2019). Needs of homeless veterans: 5 years of the CHALENG Survey 2012–16. Journal of Public Health, 41(1), e16-e24. Web.