Dear John,

ICYMI, Michael Mayer of the Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program appeared on A Health Podyssey to discuss his recent paper that explores the impacts of encampment clearings on the homeless population in Boston and how transitional harm reduction housing provided a unique opportunity for former encampment residents.

While you're at it, check out the full theme issue!

Addressing Housing-Related Needs Through Medicaid 

In the February 2024 Housing & Health issue of Health Affairs, Katie Huber of Duke University and coauthors offer a mixed methods analysis of North Carolina Medicaid’s Health Opportunities Pilot Program.

The program is “among the nation’s most expansive Medicaid programs to address health-related social needs, including housing.”

Among the findings, the researchers identify four critical themes:

• The housing landscape varies within and across Health Opportunities Pilots regions.
• Defining and pricing housing services in Medicaid is complex.
• Successful implementation of housing services involves engaging diverse stakeholders.
• Housing is the most expensive Health Opportunities Pilots service domain.

The authors conclude that findings from this program could inform other state and federal initiatives.

For more on this paper, check out a video abstract featuring author Katie Huber.

Behind The Pages: Housing and Health

Health Affairs' Ellen Bayer and Rob Lott go behind the pages of the new February issue focusing on Housing and Health. Their conversation provides insight into the approach taken for this particular theme issue, the relationship between housing and health, a number of the journal articles featured, and so much more.

Prevention: The Missing Link In Our Efforts To Support Families Impacted By The Opioid Epidemic

Jim Leighty et al.

Are you thinking about applying for the 2024–2025 Health Equity Fellowship for Trainees (HEFT) cohort? There's still time!

Applications for the 2024–2025 HEFT cohort are open until February 15, 2024.

The purpose of the Fellowship is to increase the quantity and quality of manuscripts published by early-career researchers interested in addressing health inequities among underserved racial and ethnic populations, while cultivating future health equity research leaders.

In the program, fellows will receive multilayered mentorship from experienced Health Affairs authors and editorial staff for eighteen months (July 2024–December 2025).

Join us for the following events in February!

• February 22: Policy Spotlight: One-on-One with Micky Tripathi, National Coordinator for Health Information Technology
• February 26: Journal Club: “Housing-Sensitive Health Conditions Can Predict Poor Quality Housing”