Author Area of Expertise
!st Author (Preet Patel)
Areas of Expertise: Epidemiology, Public Health, Clinical Dentistry
2nd Author (Dr. Opal Frye-Clark)
Areas of Expertise: Health Management & Policy, Public Health
Abstract
The article examines the homelessness crisis in Johnson City, Tennessee, a mid-sized Appalachian city. First, analysis of Point-in-Time (PIT) counts from 2023 to 2025, conducted in 2025, showed persistently high unsheltered rates (35.88% – 47.17%), with men comprising 60 – 65% of the unhoused population. Men experiencing homelessness also had approximately half the odds of being counted as sheltered compared with women, indicating a gender disparity in sheltered status. Second, an interview with an experienced public health practitioner from the Appalachian Region contextualized these findings by identifying systemic drivers, including the regional housing crisis and policy restrictions, and supporting equitable housing-first strategies to strengthen homeless services.
DOI
https://doi.org/10.13023/jah.0802.05
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Preet_Conflict of Interest statement
Opal_revised manuscript_coi_disclosure (3) (1).pdf (301 kB)
Dr. Opal_Conflict of Interest statement
Revised manuscript NFF_Homelessness_JC_TN.docx (57 kB)
Manuscript with revisions
With track changes_Revised Manuscript NFF_Homelessness_JC.docx (94 kB)
Manuscript with revisions_with track changes
Updated_Cover_Letter.pdf (157 kB)
Cover letter for revised manuscript
Recommended Citation
Patel P, Frye-Clark O. Gender disparities in sheltered status and systemic drivers of homelessness in Johnson City, Tennessee. J Appalach Health 2026; 8(2):64-70. DOI: https://doi.org/10.13023/jah.0802.05
Included in
Community Health and Preventive Medicine Commons, Public Health Education and Promotion Commons, Regional Sociology Commons
Social Media Links