Alfred Handley, a 59-year-old homeless man in Phoenix, received intravenous saline solution from a street medicine team operated by the nonprofit Circle the City to combat the extreme heat that homeless people in the city face. With temperatures regularly hitting triple-digits in Phoenix, homeless individuals are particularly vulnerable to heat-related illnesses, as seen in the record number of heat-related deaths in Maricopa County last year, with nearly half of the deaths attributed to homeless individuals.
Dr. Liz Frye, vice chair of the Street Medicine Institute, praised Circle the City’s initiative, noting the importance of administering IVs on the street to prevent fatalities. Health care providers across the country are facing the challenge of protecting homeless patients from extreme weather conditions, with even traditionally cold cities like Boston now seeing cases of heat-related illnesses.
In response to the increasing number of homeless people suffering from heat-related issues, organizations like Circle the City are working tirelessly to provide medical care on the streets. With temperatures soaring in cities like Phoenix and Albuquerque, medical professionals are focusing on treating dehydration, infections, and chronic conditions to prevent fatalities.
Circle the City works in partnership with hospitals to provide after-care for homeless patients, ensuring they have access to follow-up services and transitional housing. The organization’s efforts have been instrumental in helping homeless individuals recover from heat-related illnesses and find stable housing solutions. Ultimately, their goal is to provide the best possible outcome for their patients and prevent heat-related fatalities in the homeless population.
Source
Photo credit apnews.com