Meeting the challenge: responding to health care needs of homeless youth.

PURPOSE

This article presents a worldview of youth who are victims of homelessness. A view of family dynamics and how they affect the emotional, psychological, social, and physical health of homeless youth is presented.

RESULTS

Homeless youth and their families are at high risk for poor health outcomes. Those who present for health care services are least likely to return to the same site for follow-up care.

CONCLUSION

Understanding the dynamics of homelessness and its effect on youth and family will facilitate efforts to engage the family and increase the likelihood for follow-up with the same provider. A patient-centered cognitive approach when managing these youth and their family will improve communication, potentiate engagement, whet creative decision making, and facilitate continuity of care.