Title

The association between HIV status and homelessness among Veterans in care

UMMS Affiliation

Departmen of Quantitative Health Sciences

Publication Date

2015-3

Document Type

Article

Disciplines

Community Health and Preventive Medicine | Community Psychology | Health Services Research | Military and Veterans Studies | Virus Diseases | Women's Health

Abstract

Veterans seeking care in the Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care System (VA) are more vulnerable to HIV infection and homelessness. However, there is little scholarship on the association between serostatus and homelessness among VA veterans. We examined this association in the Veterans Aging Cohort Study, a sample of 6,819 HIV-positive and HIV-negative veterans attending 8 VAs across the country. We utilized logistic models regressing shelter use in the last month on correlates. HIV and homelessness prevalence was higher than in general veteran populations. Being HIV-positive was protective against homelessness. Substance use, hazardous alcohol use, depression, schizophrenia, and being African American and male increased risk of homelessness. HIV-positive status reduced the homelessness risk posed by substance use, especially among African American substance users. However, women veterans with HIV were at higher risk of homelessness than noninfected women veterans. Implications for policies on veteran homelessness and housing for people with HIV are discussed.

DOI of Published Version

10.1002/jcop.21673

Source

Ghose, T., Gordon, A. J., Metraux, S., Mattocks, K. M., Goulet, J. L., Rodriguez-Barradas, M. C., Day, N. L., Blackstock, O. and Justice, A. C. (2015), The association between HIV status and homelessness among Veterans in care. J. Community Psychol., 43: 189–198. doi: 10.1002/jcop.21673

Journal/Book/Conference Title

Journal of Community Psychology

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