Extreme heat and hot weather has a negative impact on human health and society. Global warming has resulted in an increase in the frequency and duration of heatwaves. Heat-related illnesses are a significant negative consequence of high temperatures and can be life-threatening medical emergencies. The severity of the symptoms can depend on the pre-existing medical conditions and vary from mild headaches to severe cases that can lead to coma and death. The risk of heat-related illness may be higher for people experiencing homelessness due to a lack of access to cool places and water, and the complex interactions between mental illness, medications and substance use disorder. This paper presents two cases of people experiencing homelessness who were admitted to the emergency department of a hospital in Sydney, Australia during a heatwave in November 2020. Both cases were adult males with known risk factors for heat-related illness including hypertension and schizophrenia (Case One) and hepatitis C, cirrhosis, and alcohol use disorder (Case Two). These cases show that severe weather can not only be detrimental to homeless people’s health but can also cause a significant economic toll, evident by the $70,184 AUD expenditure on the care for these two cases. This case report highlights the requirement to determine the risk of heat-related illness to people experiencing homelessness and need to protect this vulnerable population from weather-related illness and death.

RESUMEN: El objetivo fue describir los estudios existentes a nivel mundial relacionados con salud oral en mujeres en situación de prostitución. Para ello se realizó una revisión exploratoria (Scoping Review) sobre el tema en cuestión en estudios publicados en forma de artículos científicos originales en revistas de revisión por pares, sin restricción en el periodo de búsqueda e indexados en 4 bases de datos internacionales (PubMed, EMBASE, LILACS y SCOPUS). Descripción de las principales características de los estudios. Como resultados principales, luego de hacer el proceso de selección se encontraron 10 estudios con diferentes enfoques metodológicos (cuantitativos, cualitativos o mixtos y estudios de intervención). Seis de los estudios fueron realizados en países asiáticos (Japón y Singapur). Las temáticas abordadas fueron: manifestaciones orales del VIH, uso del condón, prácticas y actitudes frente al sexo oral. Solamente se encontró un estudio específico en salud oral realizado en Senegal el cual analiza la situación periodontal en trabajadoras sexuales con y sin VIH. Los estudios en salud oral para la población en situación de prostitución son escasos. Siendo un grupo sensible y vulnerable socialmente, se requiere fomentar la investigación en estas mujeres para identificar las posibles situaciones de desigualdad social que impactan en las condiciones de salud oral en este colectivo. PALABRAS CLAVE: salud oral, perfil de salud, prostitución, investigación en odontología.

Aim: To explore the key knowledge, skills, attributes and organisational support that nurses require to optimise their scope of practice when providing care to people experiencing homelessness. Design: A qualitative descriptive study exploring nurses' scope of practice for addressing health needs of people experiencing homelessness. Methods: Interviews and focus groups were conducted from 2022 to 2024 with 42 people with lived experience of homelessness across two Australian cities. Thematic analysis identified essential skills, attributes and approaches to improve access to care and eliminate stigma. Findings were then presented in focus groups with 11 registered nurses in specialist homeless health services to elicit views on optimising scope of practice. The study follows COREQ reporting guidelines for qualitative research. Results: Lived‐experience participants—ranging from 18 to 84 years, a third living in cars or tents—identified key nursing attributes and practices, including approachability, compassion, non‐judgement, flexibility, community embeddedness, trauma‐informed and culturally safe practice, plus skills in physical and mental health assessment, medication management and service navigation. Nurse participants agreed with lived‐experience participants, and highlighted organisational support needs, including information sharing, clinical supervision, assertive outreach, nurse prescribing and long‐term funding for nurse‐led programs. Conclusion: With rising housing instability, preparing nurses to optimise access to care for people experiencing homelessness is critical. Optimal scope of practice includes personal attributes to build rapport and reduce stigma alongside clinical skills. Co‐developing educational programs in partnership with people with lived experience of homelessness and homeless health nurses offers a promising approach. Impact: This research informs the scope of practice definitions and the future development of a co‐developed nursing education pathway and organisational framework to improve access to care for people experiencing homelessness in Australia. Patient or Public Contribution: Limited patient and public involvement was incorporated and focused on providing feedback on interview guides.

Calidad de vida relacionada con la salud bucal en mujeres en situación de prostitución en Medellín (Colombia) y sus factores relacionados