A recent study highlights the pressing healthcare needs of people who have been unhoused or formerly incarcerated. This research shows concerning health disparities, particularly for individuals who have recently left prison.
Researchers from the Minnesota Electronic Health Record Consortium examined data on over four million people in Minnesota. They found that those who had been incarcerated or were unhoused faced significant health challenges compared to the general population.
In North Dakota, Rep. Karla Rose Hanson is aware of these issues. She points out that mental health and substance use disorders affect everyone, but the impact is more severe among those in the criminal justice system. This aligns with the Minnesota findings, which show higher rates of conditions like asthma and COPD among recently released inmates.
Rep. Hanson is actively involved in a group focused on improving reentry outcomes for formerly incarcerated individuals. She supports changes, such as ensuring that these individuals have access to Medicaid upon their release. However, she emphasizes that more work is needed in areas like housing and job support to help stabilize their lives.
Wanda Bertram from the Prison Policy Initiative noted that the findings reinforce what many in the research community already knew. She explained that the prison experience can be traumatic, leading to conditions like PTSD. “Witnessing violence and isolation are major factors,” she said.
Currently, there are challenges ahead. With the recent Medicaid changes proposed by the Republican-led Congress, many fear significant funding cuts could hinder state efforts to support these vulnerable populations.
In 2022, studies indicated that over 20% of individuals released from incarceration did not have stable housing after six months. This statistic underscores the urgent need for comprehensive approaches that address both health care and social support.
As discussions unfold about criminal justice reform and public health, the voices of those affected are crucial. The need for systemic changes is evident, and while some progress is being made, many advocates stress the importance of continued focus on both healthcare access and social stability.
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Local News,Study shows health disparities for people out of prison
