Case Study- Chapter 23

A health department recently completed an assessment of its community. One of the concerns identified in the community was the increasing number of homeless persons living in the area. The health department decided it needed to address this problem as soon as possible. A task force was organized to examine the issue and develop interventions to address this problem.
Tim, a public health nurse, is a member of the task force. His role is to interview residents of the homeless shelter to collect data about their use of health care services. Tim sits down to interview Heather, a resident of the shelter and single mother of two children.

1. What broad factors may have contributed to the increased incidence of homeless in this community?
A. Shortage of affordable housing, insufficient income, and scarcity of supportive services
B. Development of a national health care system, insufficient income, and increased Section 8 housing
C. Stagnation of minimum wage, the opening of new factories, and shortage of affordable housing
D. Scarcity of supportive services, war on terror, and increased Section 8 housing

2. Tim wants to learn whether Heather is able to access health care for herself and her children. Which question would be the most appropriate for him to ask to learn more about this issue?
A. “Do you receive annual physical examinations?”
B. “Who takes you to your doctor appointments?”
C. “Are you able to afford the health care services you need?”
D. “Who is your primary care provider?”

3. Based on the social justice model, which intervention would the county health department be most likely to implement?
A. Provide free sexually transmitted disease (STD) testing at the shelter
B. Organize a job fair at the shelter
C. Coordinate an Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meeting at the shelter
D. Encourage those living at the shelter to find permanent housing