{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,11,13]],"date-time":"2026-11-13T09:28:08Z","timestamp":1794562088184,"version":"4.9.1"},"reference-count":0,"publisher":"HCA Healthcare","issue":"2","content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["HCA Healthcare Journal of Medicine"],"abstract":"<jats:p>Background \nDuring the COVID-19 pandemic, there was an increase in the number of unhoused individuals in Asheville, North Carolina resulting in more tent encampments.\nUnderstanding the physical, mental, and socially determined health characteristics associated with being unhoused can help guide stakeholders with policy development, healthcare program planning, and funding decisions to support unhoused individuals.\nMethods \nIn this study, we used an observational cross-section methodology. Using a convenience sample approach, we interviewed 101 participants who were receiving services from 2 emergency hotel shelters, a day center, and a resource center. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, and open-ended responses were collected and grouped to provide context.\nResults \nMost participants were White (71%) and identified as male (76%). Over 60% reported having a high school education or advanced degree. Of the participants, 76% reported being unhoused for more than 6 months, and their last permanent housing was in Western North Carolina. Dental disease, chronic pain, and hypertension were common physical conditions. PTSD, depression, and anxiety were common mental health conditions. A lack of transportation was the most noted socially determined challenge. Marijuana, methamphetamine, and alcohol were the most often used substances, where methamphetamine was noted to be particularly problematic for the participants.\nConclusion \nUnderstanding the physical, mental, and social issues of the complex unhoused population can assist policymakers, healthcare providers, and other stakeholders in addressing challenges and testing improvement strategies.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.36518\/2689-0216.1594","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2024,5,1]],"date-time":"2024-05-01T11:20:40Z","timestamp":1714562440000},"source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":0,"title":["Drivers of Being Unhoused and the Prevalence of Health Conditions among Unhoused Individuals in Asheville, NC"],"prefix":"10.36518","volume":"5","author":[{"given":"Andrea K","family":"Yontz","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Mountain Area Health Education Center, Asheville, NC\/University of Missouri, Columbia, MO"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Amber","family":"Beane","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Ripple Effect, Frederick, MD"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Tessa","family":"Frank","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Mountain Area Health Education Center, Asheville, NC"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Amy","family":"Upham","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Eleanor Health Foundation, Asheville, NC"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Dustin V","family":"Patil","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Mountain Area Health Education Center, Asheville, NC"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Dan","family":"Pizzo","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Counterflow, Asheville, NC\/University of Colorado, Denver, CO"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Steve","family":"Buie","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Mountain Area Health Education Center, Asheville, NC"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Jacqueline R","family":"Halladay","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"UNC School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"22435","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2024,4,30]]},"container-title":["HCA Healthcare Journal of Medicine"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","deposited":{"date-parts":[[2026,11,13]],"date-time":"2026-11-13T08:51:18Z","timestamp":1794559878000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/scholarlycommons.hcahealthcare.com\/hcahealthcarejournal\/vol5\/iss2\/3"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2024,4,30]]},"references-count":0,"journal-issue":{"issue":"2","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2024,4,30]]}},"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.36518\/2689-0216.1594","relation":{},"ISSN":["2689-0216"],"issn-type":[{"value":"2689-0216","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2024,4,30]]}}}