Adapting Backpack Medicine in COVID-19 Response for People Experiencing Homelessness in Southern California
Jemma Alarcón, Tipu Khan
Abstract
The Backpack Medicine Program (BPM) at Ventura County Medical Center, in partnership with the Ventura County Health Care Agency, created the BPM COVID Response Team to address health care needs exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic among individuals experiencing homelessness. Over four weeks, the BPM COVID Response Team tested more than 150 patients and identified 24 positive results. The Ventura County Health Care Agency has provided temporary housing to more than 400 people among three different cities across Ventura, California.
Topics & Concepts
BackpackPandemicCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)Agency (philosophy)Public healthHealth careMedicine2019-20 coronavirus outbreakGerontologyFamily medicineNursingGeographySociologyPolitical scienceVirologyDiseaseInfectious disease (medical specialty)LawOutbreakSocial sciencePathologyArchaeologyHomelessness and Social IssuesFood Security and Health in Diverse PopulationsEmergency and Acute Care Studies