This 3-minute animated video on YouTube addresses barriers to health care in people with diabetes who are experiencing homelessness, providing recommendations for care providers when assisting such individuals. People with diabetes have inflated healthcare costs, which greatly impacts individuals who have diabetes and are experiencing homelessness. Glucose monitoring tools, a balanced diet, access and storage of insulin, and transportation all pose barriers to treatment for people in this population. To better assist patients in managing their diabetes, doctors are encouraged to empower their patients as active participants in the treatment process and take barriers to access and consistency into consideration when prescribing medications. When doctors engage patients in the treatment process, they may be able to work together to find ways to overcome potential problems, making treatment more effective and sustainable. Providers are further encouraged to understand that factors that may be outside of the medical sphere, such as housing, nonetheless have a significant impact on health care. Being aware of services patients may need, such as housing access and support groups, will increase their quality of life as well as help keep them in treatment. Finally, providers can play an important role in making sure patients have the full range of care needed by working to integrate their efforts with behavioral health service providers, supporting an overall well-being that is conducive to effective participation in medical care and continued treatment.

This video is the second part of the two-part series, with the first video on individuals with diabetes experiencing homelessness providing a general overview.

This resource was first shared in 2019.

(Animated Video, YouTube)