Down and out in New York City: a participant-observation study of the poor and marginalized.

Poor and marginalized individuals have greater difficulty accessing health care compared to more privileged members of society. Classic theories on poverty help to explain the relationship between poverty and health. In an attempt to understand the experiences and perceived needs of the poor as well as their interactions with health care providers, a participant-observation study was conducted. The investigator spent time on the streets of New York City among the poor and homeless and attempted to access various health care services specifically set up for this population. The purpose of this article is to describe what it was like to be "down and out" and in need of basic health care.