HealthCare for the Homeless

Health Care for the Homeless Program
The Western Pennsylvania Hospital is committed to the delivery of health care services to the homeless in Allegheny County. West Penn Hospital's Health Care for the Homeless Program seeks to remove barriers to accessing care by bringing preventive comprehensive care into community facilities that serve the homeless. One such facility is the Jubilee Kitchen. The program takes medical care out of the traditional hospital-based setting and brings it to a population in need of health services. The homeless population is comprised of many young individuals, as well as women and families suffering from economic downturns who are extremely intimidated by the complexities of the health care system. The homeless population is especially at risk for trauma, drug and alcohol abuse, diseases related to exposure and infectious diseases such as tuberculosis and sexually transmitted diseases. They are at risk for chronic disease, including hypertension, heart disease and exposure to HIV, which are aggravated by neglect.

Jubilee Kitchen is located on Fifth Avenue in the city’s uptown district. Primary care services are provided to the homeless on-site one day per week. Services include: medical clinics, screening, podiatry clinic, lab testing and all medical supplies. A registered nurse conducts tuberculin screening and administers free influenza vaccine. A physician sees patients as walk-ins. Patients are admitted to the hospital as needed for acute episodic care. Jubilee Kitchen is staffed by registered nurses, WPH Internal Medicine residents, attending physicians and a Hospital van driver.