Chronic Pain Management in the Homeless Population

Acute and chronic pain affects a large portion of the US and European population. Worldwide estimates suggest that one in five adults suffers from pain and another one in ten adults are diagnosed with chronic pain yearly. The burden of disease, however, is disproportionate and affects the homeless more frequently and with more serious consequences than the non-homeless. There are a host of factors that perpetuate the pain cycle, including loss of function, independence, and social disparity that are examined in this chapter. In addition, an understanding of the pathophysiology of pain, populations affected, evaluation, and treatment options will be reviewed. Despite limited resources and associated difficulties with managing chronic pain in this population, opportunities for improving patient function, pain level, and provider knowledge will be reviewed.