Homelessness is a public health crisis fueled by racial inequities and society's policy choices. The conditions under which people experiencing homelessness (PEH) live place them at increased risk of exposure to the novel coronavirus. They are also more likely to develop COVID once exposed, and less likely to receive care and have conditions that will enable them to recover. We will review some of the data on PEH's health status, measures taken by providers to protect the health of PEH during the COVID pandemic, recommendations made by CDC and HUD, and partnerships that were formed among health and shelter service providers in the pandemic. We will also explore some of the limited data about COVID and PEH and public health measures that should be taken to protect the health of PEH and to end homelessness.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand homelessness in the broader societal framework and the risk factors affecting health status faced by people experiencing homelessness (PEH)
• Understand some responses to the COVID pandemic by Health Care for the Homeless Programs, Medical Respite programs, local health departments, CDC and HUD
• Evaluate what short- and long-term steps need to be taken to protect the health of PEH as a means to end homelessness.

Duration: 32 minutes

Continuing Education Information:  0.5 CECH for CHES

Format: Web-based training, Self Study

Originally Recorded: 08/2020

Presenter: G. Robert (“Bobby”) Watts, MPH, MS, CPH

Bobby Watts is the Chief Executive Officer of the National Health Care for the Homeless Council, which supports the 300 federally-supportedHealth Care for the Homeless programsand90 Medical Respite providers with training, technical assistance, sharing of best practices, research, publications, and an active policy and advocacy program working to eliminate homelessness. A nationally recognized advocate and leader in meeting the health needs of people without homes, Bobby has 30 years of experience in administration, direct service, and implementation of homeless health services, beginning as a live-in counselor at the NYC Rescue Mission. He spent most of his career before joining the Council at Care for the Homeless, which operates clinics, shelters, and conducts policy analysis and advocacy in NYC, beginning as an intern and serving as the Executive Director for twelve years. He has served on numerous boards and government-appointed task forces and councils. He is a graduate of Cornell University and the Columbia University Mailman School of PublicHealth from which he holds a Master’s in Public Health in health administration and a Master's Science in epidemiology. He also earned a Certificate of Theological Studies from Alliance Theological Seminary in Nyack, NY.