Health Equity and Policy
By Pooja Bhalla, DNP, RN, Illumination Foundation CEO
Health equity and policy are critical elements of the homelessness crisis. This was one of many issues addressed at a consortium hosted by Illumination Foundation last year. Dr. Gary Painter, Director of USC Sol Price Center for Social Innovation and Director of the Homeless Policy Research Institute, was asked to describe the state of our social safety net, or more narrowly, whether it can be said that we even have one anymore.
“Very few families receive assistance from the social safety net equivalent to a living wage,” Dr. Painter responded.
Indeed, families must plummet into extreme poverty just to qualify for assistance with childcare—an essential component to getting back on their feet—while only 1 in 5 households receives the housing assistance they qualify for. With such “gigantic holes” in our safety net, as Dr. Painter referred to them, we cannot provide even a basic standard of living for the most vulnerable in our communities.
When looking at the social determinants of health, we see that housing and health are tightly interwoven. When many who need and qualify for housing assistance do not receive it due to budget and political constraints, we are already working against a key social determinant of health.
In 2023, Illumination Foundation marks its 15-year anniversary. In providing care for families and individuals since 2008, we have seen the need for more inclusive, equitable healthcare policies. Or, as panelist Michael Hunn, Chief Executive Officer of CalOptima, pointed out, we need to “craft policies that touch as many lives as possible.”
The Federal Strategic Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness, unveiled in December 2022, recognizes and addresses this need. Although we have a long way to go to implement policies that truly create equity throughout our society, we are hopeful that the Federal Strategic Plan will create a solid, sustainable foundation.
As Dr. Painter pointed out, “The place we are at now is not just or effective.” Our safety net is grossly inadequate. The social and political determinants of health are shaped by policies that reinforce inequities in the system. The resources that are available involve complex and onerous processes to navigate and access.
As noted during the consortium by Bonnie Preston, Acting Regional Director of U.S. Health & Human Services (HHS)–Region 9, pointed out, the COVID-19 pandemic has sharply exposed and brought to the fore the depth of health disparity in our society. While she points to efforts at the HHS and throughout federal agencies to analyze and begin addressing equity in a meaningful way, we have a long way to go to craft and implement policies that truly create equity throughout our society. Through our collective efforts providing care at the individual and community level, we can achieve a just and equitable society. Together we can.
Learn more about housing and healthcare for those experiencing homelessness at www.ifhomeless.org.
