This resource, developed by the National Health Care for the Homeless Council, provides valuable information about Reproductive Health, its effects on homeless patients and the subsequent treatment recommendations.

Clinicians practicing in Health Care for the Homeless (HCH) projects and others who provide primary care to people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness routinely adapt their medical practice to foster better outcomes for these patients.

Standard clinical practice guidelines often fail to take into consideration the unique challenges faced by homeless patients that may limit their ability to adhere to a plan of care. Recognizing the gap between standard clinical guidelines and clinical practices used by health care providers experienced in the care of individuals who are homeless, the HCH Clinicians’ Network has made the adaptation of clinical practice guidelines for homeless patients one of its top priorities.

The original copy of these guidelines was developed in 2003 by primary health care providers, representing HCH projects across the United States. These 2008 guidelines reflect their original work and include revisions that suggest updates in standards of practice in reproductive health care for patients who lack stable housing. These recommendations reflect their collective experience in serving homeless adults and adolescents.

We hope these recommendations offer helpful guidance to primary care providers serving patients who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, and that they will contribute to improvements in the sexual and reproductive health of homeless individuals. (Authors)