Health care of homeless families. A growing challenge for family medicine.

The number of homeless families in the United States is growing at an alarming rate. Homeless families are at an increased risk for numerous medical conditions and have complex health and psychosocial needs. In response to the growing crisis, policymakers have generally focused on families' immediate needs rather than developing a comprehensive long-term response. Health programs have been challenged to develop effective methods of providing outreach and comprehensive, continuous, coordinated services. Family medicine is uniquely qualified to meet the health care needs of homeless families and can play an important role in providing clinical service, designing medical education, developing research, and defining a national advocacy agenda.