Reaching People Experiencing Homelessness Through Street Medical Outreach

In Denver, Colorado, the homeless population is highly visible; many live on Denver’s streets, under bridges, and in alleys. For most, accessing health care and social support services is difficult and focusing on daily survival takes precedent. The Colorado Coalition for the Homeless (the Coalition) proactively engages patients to link them to information and social support services, as well as provides medical care…

Using a Harm Reduction Approach and Mobile Outreach to Promote Health Among Those Engaged in Street-Based Sex Work and Drug Use

Harm reduction is an evidence-based, public health approach that uses practical strategies to reduce the harmful consequences associated with certain high-risk behaviors[1]. For example, a harm reduction approach to drug use could involve counseling someone about the risks involved or giving them sterile syringes. With the aim of “meeting people where they’re at”…

Creating Partnerships to Provide Prenatal Care and Free Multivitamins to Low-Income Women

Many low-income pregnant women and children face undernutrition because they do not have regular access to healthy foods. As a result, children can develop vitamin and mineral deficiencies that impact their physical and mental development. Multivitamins, including prenatal vitamins for pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers and their infants and daily multivitamins for children under five, can supplement existing food resources to improve the health…