key: cord-0925362-yiv8rp7y
authors: Guhan, Samantha M.; Nathan, Neera R.; Raef, Haya; Cavanaugh-Hussey, Margaret; Tan, Jennifer K.
title: COVID-19 and healthcare disparities: Innovative ways to meet the dermatologic needs of patients experiencing homelessness
date: 2020-10-23
journal: J Am Acad Dermatol
DOI: 10.1016/j.jaad.2020.10.042
sha: eca7d5518b648c6d9ae8fb604aa4f9d496f68bb8
doc_id: 925362
cord_uid: yiv8rp7y

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COVID-19 and healthcare disparities: Innovative ways to meet the dermatologic needs of 1 patients experiencing homelessness 2 3

Samantha M. Guhan, BA 1 , Neera R. Nathan, MD, MSHS 2 , Haya Raef, BA 3 , Margaret 4

Cavanaugh-Hussey, MD, MPH 4,6 and Jennifer K. Tan, MD 5,6 5 6 1 The medical community has taken multiple steps to increase access to care for this vulnerable 55 population, such as creating facilities that offer isolation and treatment for PEH suffering from 56 COVID-19. We hypothesized that dermatologists can further aid this population by mobilizing 57 critical supplies commonly found in our offices and using the generosity of local companies to 58 create COVID-19 care kits, which contain items necessary to protect PEH from disease. Goals of 59 distribution included not only increased access to basic hygienic products, but also 60 acknowledgement of our common humanity during a time of crisis. 61 62 Prior to supply collection, local shelters were contacted to identify the most useful items to 63 patients. As dermatologists, we were especially well positioned to obtain products, such as soap 64 and hand sanitizer, due to pre-existing relationships with skin care companies. Local volunteers 65 contributed facemasks and donors provided additional funds for entertainment items, COVID-19 66 safety brochures, and packaging. The final kits contained soap, hand sanitizer, moisturizer, 67 

The 2019 Annual 89 Homeless Assessment Report (AHAR) to Congress

Assessment of 92 SARS-CoV-2 Infection Prevalence in Homeless Shelters -Four

COVID-19 and Racial Disparities

dental care products, puzzles, headphones, a COVID-19 informational pamphlet, and other 68 personal hygiene items ( Figure 1 ). In order to minimize the number of people in contact with 69 patients, kits were delivered to a contact person at each shelter, who later distributed the kits. 70

The success of this endeavor was measured by the number of kits distributed to local shelters. 72Over 1000 kits were assembled between the months of March and June. This program is 73 sustainable through the generosity of skin care companies, fund-raising efforts, and the 74 incorporation of staff and trainees into the collection and assembly process. Limitations include 75 distribution to a single geographic area and variation in supply of donated items. 76 77 Building upon relationships we already have as dermatologists, we were able to create a COVID-78 19 kit donation program that provided PEH with necessary supplies to minimize the spread of 79 disease. In the post-COVID era, this effort will be expanded to involve the assembly of kits 80 containing over-the-counter products to treat common skin conditions including acne, atopic 81 dermatitis, and xerosis. We propose a call to action for the dermatology community to create 82 similar programs in order to aid this critically marginalized population. To identify a clinic or 83 shelter with which to partner, the following resources may be useful: National Health Care for 84 the Homeless Council Respite and Grantee directories (nhchc.org), findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov, 85 and www.homelessshelterdirectory.org. 86 87 References: 88