BACKGROUND Residential eviction is a component of housing instability that negatively affects physical and mental health, but the effect of eviction on health care utilization, specifically hospital readmissions and outpatient… Click to show full abstract
BACKGROUND Residential eviction is a component of housing instability that negatively affects physical and mental health, but the effect of eviction on health care utilization, specifically hospital readmissions and outpatient no-show rates, is not known. METHODS We conducted a retrospective review of health care utilization of individuals evicted from public housing between January 2013 and December 2017, investigating hospital readmissions and no-show rates one year before and after eviction. RESULTS 131 individuals who had been evicted had one year of data pre-and post-eviction. The majority were African American (97.7%) and female (80.9%). There was no significant change in 30-, 60-, and 90-day hospital readmissions (p>.05). No-show rate decreased from 27.57 per person per year to 20.13 (p=.05). CONCLUSIONS For our study population, health care utilization was not disrupted. The decreased no-show rate represents an opportunity for health systems to engage with patients on social factors affecting their health post-eviction.
               
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