Examining the Health Care Needs of African Americans who are Homeless with Mental Illness

Abstract: African Americans with mental illness who are homeless experience significant health risks and illnesses leading to high mortality and morbidity rates. A community- based participatory research (CBPR) team conducted a qualitative study to begin to describe these problems. Results from focus groups and key informant interviews of 42 individuals yielded 98 themes which were sorted into three categories: problems, solutions, and peer navigators. Results included a review of the problems and solutions which the community or people might adopt. An additional goal was to understand and develop impact of peer navigators for addressing health problems in this group. Results yielded a list of values in hiring peer navigators as well as skills and resources they might need to successfully do their job. Findings from the study are currently being used by the CBPR team to develop a peer navigator program for this community. Key words: Homelessness, mental illness, health care, African Americans. People with serious mental illnesses such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder expe-rience significantly higher rates of morbidity and mortality compared to similar aged individuals.1,2 As a result, they are hospitalized for physical health problems at much higher rates3 and die, on average, 15 to 30 years younger than their same- age