What are Homeless Entrepreneur’s health initiatives and how are you connected?
Written by Andria Thomas
The Importance of Health Access for the Homeless
Every day, we witness people experiencing homelessness. Whether it's seeing a woman holding a sign for help or watching a man trying to rest on bare concrete, our immediate thoughts often turn to providing essential necessities like food and shelter. While these are undeniably crucial, there is another vital aspect of their lives that frequently gets overlooked: health and well-being. Addressing the healthcare needs of the homeless community is not only a moral imperative but also a practical one, as it can significantly improve their quality of life and prospects for the future. This article explores the innovative efforts of Homeless Entrepreneur’s health department, which aims to connect the homeless with essential health services, bridging a critical gap in their care.
The determinants of health and well-being in human habitation are illustrated comprehensively in this diagram.
As we know, most people experiencing homelessness lack a network of resources. One of the most important resources a human can have is access to proper healthcare. According to the European Parliament, “poor health is both a factor and a consequence of homelessness.” The harsh realities of living on the streets or in unstable shelters expose homeless individuals to extreme weather, unsanitary environments, and constant stress, all of which contribute to deteriorating health. Chronic illnesses, mental health issues, and infectious diseases are prevalent, and these conditions are often left untreated due to the barriers in accessing healthcare.
Reagan Sohan, one of my fellow interns in the health department, emphasizes the importance of connecting homeless individuals to the medical community:
“The lack of access to healthcare for the homeless community is detrimental to their quality of life and personal health. Raising awareness on the importance of the issue connects those who need support to those who can provide it.”
By creating pathways to healthcare for the homeless community, we not only address immediate health concerns but also provide a foundation for long-term stability and improvement in their lives. Homeless Entrepreneur’s health department is a prime example of how targeted efforts can make a significant difference, offering hope and tangible benefits to one of society's most vulnerable populations.
HOMEcan: Bridging the Gap between Homeless Community & Medical World
Homeless Entrepreneur’s health department recognizes these challenges and seeks to bridge the gap by connecting homeless individuals with essential health services. It’s star initiative is curently HomeCAN, which is an educational campaign aimed at reimagining humanity's approach to ending homelessness, with a particular focus on those affected by cancer. Every year, one in twenty Europeans is diagnosed with cancer, and one in 829 Europeans experiences homelessness. Alarmingly, homeless Europeans are 41 times more likely to be diagnosed with cancer, and the mortality rate from cancer is twice as high in the homeless community. These statistics highlight a pressing issue where homelessness and cancer intersect, affecting countless lives. Through workshops, seminars, and conferences, HomeCAN raises awareness and educates the public about the intersection of homelessness and cancer. This project promotes increased interaction between the homeless community and healthcare professionals, reducing barriers to prevention, early detection, diagnosis, treatment options, and rehabilitation. HomeCAN's efforts foster greater knowledge and awareness, ultimately leading to improved health outcomes for homeless individuals affected by cancer.
Ramón Feiner Bas, who lived on the streets for over a decade, shared his transformative experience:
“I managed to survive, living on the streets for 12-13 years, during which I met Tomás, a homeless man with cancer. He spoke highly of Andrew and Homeless Entrepreneur and how their team had helped him with a problem and facilitated its resolution. So, I decided to meet him and redirect my path upward and stay afloat.”
Ramon’s testimony evidently shows the dedication of Homeless Entrepreneur’s call to action.
Two Homeless Entrepreneurs, Ramon Feiner Bas (right), and Fabio Betancourt (left) shared their experiences and insights on the impact of homelessness on their lives with me (Andria Thomas).
The second is the HELP program, a holistic one-year initiative designed to support the homeless on their path to independence. This integration creates a stable foundation for sustainable change through active citizenship, community involvement, and life purpose development. Homeless Entrepreneur is expanding the HELP Program’s health department to further connect the homeless to essential healthcare services and promoting healthy habits. This progress ensures that participants not only gain economic stability but also maintain and improve their health in all areas, which is vital for long-term success. Holistic health is extremely important to our wellbeing, and that is what this project is aiming to show. In my conversations with author and wellness coach, Claudia van Zuiden we discussed the power of health.
“Aligning our four sectors of health: mental, physical, social, and even spiritual, we can easier achieve this idea of a complete wellbeing.”
Homeless Entrepreneur supports the growth in these departments.
Homeless Entrepreneur’s health community is making significant strides in connecting homeless individuals with vital health services, promoting holistic well-being, and fostering a supportive community.
Broader Impacts and Future Connections
One of the challenges that comes with trying to connect people to resources is building the support network. Personally, I was challenged with making connections as soons as I enter Homeless Entrepreneur’s internship program. I have encountered many people experiencing homeless, and yes, I have empathized with their situations, but I never truly understood how it related to me. This was a significant barrier in my work and kept me from really doing more for the population that I am serving.
The biggest thing that helped me overcome this was piecing together how it affected me: a 19-year-old college student studying abroad in Barcelona. For example, less homelessness would create a healthier and safer environment for enter. Moreover, as someone who is entering a new country and is easily able to acquire housing, I realized that it is a basic human right to shelter. So, when we are talking about the relevance of homelessness, we must truly connect ourselves to the cause. How does improving access to healthcare for the homeless community affect the government? Well, it enhances public health and safety through reduced spread of infectious diseases. It leads to significant economic savings as preventive care and timely treatment reduce reliance on expensive emergency services. Additionally, providing better healthcare can contribute to social stability by lowering homelessness rates and associated social issues, ultimately fostering a more stable and prosperous community. How does improving the homeless’ access to healthcare affect Spanish businesses? Healthier homeless individuals are more likely to find stable employment, thus becoming potential customers for local businesses. This increased economic activity boosts sales and revenue for shops, restaurants, and other enterprises. Additionally, reducing homelessness and its associated public health issues enhances the city’s overall environment, making it more attractive to tourists and potential investors.
Centro Médico Teknon in Barcelona highlights the importance of accessible healthcare for all citizens.
Moreover, companies that support or participate in health initiatives can enhance their corporate social responsibility profile, improving their reputation and customer loyalty. How does improving the homeless’ access to healthcare affect citizens? It creates a safer and cleaner urban environment, enhancing the quality of life for all residents. It fosters social cohesion and empathy, as citizens see tangible efforts to support vulnerable populations. It can lead to a more inclusive and compassionate society, where all members have the opportunity to thrive. So, I challenge you to think about how health and homelessness affect YOU. Everyone is connected to homelessness; it is just a matter of how deep you look into it. This is why Homeless Entrepreneur’s health department is so important. Homeless Entrepreneur is bridging the gap between not only the medical world and the homeless, but everyone to the homeless. By promoting health education, it gives everyone the opportunity to connect with people experiencing homeless, bringing them more support.
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