Assessing the Accessibility of Wound Care Education for Unhoused Individuals of South Jersey

Unhoused individuals face disproportionately high rates of wound-related complications due to environmental exposure, limited access to hygiene facilities, and delayed care. This study assessed the accessibility of wound care for the unhoused population in South Jersey, where approximately 2,607 individuals experience homelessness on any given night. Our research identified significant barriers to wound care access, including transportation limitations, lack of identification documents, absence of a physical mailing address, and language barriers. Data analysis revealed concerning trends: a 24% increase in New Jersey's homeless population in 2024, with Black/African American individuals representing 49% of the homeless population despite comprising only 12% of the general population. Based on these findings, we propose a three-pronged intervention approach: (1) addressing language barriers through translated educational materials, (2) increasing access to basic wound care supplies via distribution of first aid kits with easy-to-follow instructions, and (3) creating an interactive resource database to connect unhoused individuals with community resources. This project aims to adapt successful street-level wound care education programs from Philadelphia to meet the specific needs of South Jersey's unhoused population, ultimately improving wound care knowledge and reducing complications in this vulnerable community.