The Skid Row is a 54-block area wherein the most vulnerable of the homeless populations live

The Skid Row is a 54-block area wherein the most vulnerable of the homeless populations live. PEH whose immune systems may be impacted by multiple health conditions. Keywords: People experiencing homelessness, SARS-CoV-2 antibody seroprevalence, material use Introduction People experiencing homelessness (PEH) are particularly vulnerable to infectious diseases as they experience higher rates of chronic diseases and accelerated physical decline (Baggett et al., 2018; Self et al., 2021). Sociodemographic characteristics, such as sex, race, and ethnicity also factor into significant health risk outcomes for PEH with COVID-19 as compared to their counterparts in the general populace (Porter et al., 2022). Specifically, mortality rate increases substantially for the female and Hispanic populations with COVID-19, and there is likewise greater vulnerability to contamination with older age in LA County (Porter et al., 2022). PEH who use substances to cope are particularly vulnerable during COVID-19, and the search for drugs or alcohol further increases risk of exposure to SARS-CoV-2 (Nyamathi et al., 2022). Tobacco and alcohol effects on health also make PEH more susceptible to higher severity of COVID-19 due to its associated cardiopulmonary risk factors (Benzano et al., 2021). As crowded housing presents an increased risk for SARS-CoV-2 exposure among PEH, the causative agent for COVID-19, increased spacing between beds and transfer of medically vulnerable PEH to single-room emergency hotels was implemented by shelter operators in PF-04217903 Los Angeles County (LAC) in NFKB1 2020 and 2021 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic (Chang et al., 2022; Los Angeles County, Department of Public Health [LADPH], 2022). However, for some PEH, transition to alternate housing, challenges in accessing necessary care and support (Adams et al., 2022), and the sudden change towards telehealth and remote interpersonal services often led to increased feelings of stress, depressed moods, feelings of loneliness, and for some, greater use of drugs and alcohol (Nyamathi et al., 2022; Benzano et al., 2021; PF-04217903 Perri et al., 2020). Further, lack of knowledge about COVID-19 exacerbated worries about the disease. A key factor for protecting against SARS-CoV-2 contamination and developing COVID-19 disease is usually COVID-19 vaccination. Estimates suggest that in LAC, by July 2021, 35.2% of PEH were fully vaccinated, with 44.3% receiving at least one dose (Montgomery et al., 2021). Prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 among PEH Living in Skid Row In the Skid Row (Central City East) area of LAC, as of July 30, 2022, an estimated 20,430 PEH have tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 since the beginning of the pandemic; of these, 355 have died (Los Angeles County, Department of Public Health, 2022). The majority of PEH who have tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 identify as Latinx (42%) and Black or African Americans (27%); this is similarly true for mortality rates. Seroprevalence of Antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 among PEH Although LAC implemented an aggressive screening testing strategy in homeless settings, case detection is usually unlikely to have been completed. Measurement of antibody levels against SARS-CoV-2 can help assess immune protection against future infection. Currently, based on a few studies, SARS-CoV-2 IgG and IgM antibody prevalence among PEH has ranged PF-04217903 from 1.5% C 54.7% and 2.1C15.2%, respectively (do Couto et al., 2021; Loubiere et al., 2021; Rowan et al., 2022). No studies have been conducted among PEH living in Skid Row, Los Angeles in assessing vaccine history or considered antibody response of the most vulnerable population. This information can help inform the design and development of contamination control and prevention strategies (Lai, Wang & Hseuh, 2020). Theoretical Framework The Comprehensive Health Seeking and Coping Paradigm (Nyamathi, 1989) has provided a view of factors that might impact the health of vulnerable PF-04217903 populations. These included sociodemographic, psychosocial, and behavioral factors. Sociodemographic factors included age, race/ethnicity, and country of birth. Psychosocial factors included mood, generalized stress, depressive symptoms, and post-traumatic stress disorder. In addition, social.