This module, and most of the research conducted on the topic of housing's role as a social determinant of health, has focused on improving the health outcomes once someone becomes stably housed. But what about those people that are still utilizing the emergency shelter system and who are waiting to move into housing? Based on what you have learned in the module and course, please answer the following questions:
- What is the role of emergency shelters in healthcare?
- Should emergency shelters be working to integrate healthcare or should the shelters only deal with the immediate crisis of providing a safe place to sleep to ensure that no one is unsheltered? Why or why not?
- If emergency shelters do play a role in the health of clients, what should they be doing to ensure that health needs are being addresses?