Honors Program
Document Type
Thesis
Date of this Version
3-11-2023
Citation
Berzonsky, K. 2023. Syndemics and Social Factors: Infectious Disease Patterns Within the Population of People Experiencing Homelessness in the United States. Undergraduate Honors Thesis. University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
Abstract
Individuals experiencing homelessness are at increased risk of suffering from infectious diseases. This is due to a number of social factors and healthcare disparities, as well as the idea of syndemics, by which diseases cluster together to worsen disease burden. Current intervention strategies approach treatment from a post-infection perspective, but reducing transmission rates of infectious diseases within the population of people experiencing homelessness will require a shift in the healthcare framework. The issue of people experiencing homelessness must be viewed through a biosocial lens, focusing on preventative care and treatment. I provide an overview of the social factors governing infectious diseases patterns within this population, as well as a discussion of syndemics, and some of the most prevalent infectious diseases.
Included in
Community Health Commons, Community Health and Preventive Medicine Commons, Epidemiology Commons, Other Immunology and Infectious Disease Commons, Other Mental and Social Health Commons, Pathogenic Microbiology Commons
Comments
Copyright Kathleen Berzonsky 2023.