The Fourth Street Clinic Report is where we explore the systems, challenges, and solutions shaping health outcomes for people experiencing homelessness.
How Homelessness Worsens Health, Especially for Minorities
April is Minority Health and Stress Awareness Month and from 4/6 - 4/12, it is also Public Health Week! Public Health Week highlights the conditions and circumstances that shape health outcomes across communities, and homelessness remains one of the most urgent public health challenges in the US. For minorities, the health issues associated with homelessness are intensified, due to what researchers describe as “weathering,” or the cumulative impact of repeated social and economic adversity.1 This includes both the stress of homelessness and the ongoing strain of systemic inequities. As we know, homelessness places individuals in a constant state of [...]
Why Safe Access to Health Care Matters for Women Experiencing Homelessness
In partnership with Huntsman Cancer Institute, Fourth Street Clinic hosts a Women’s Health Day every quarter to expand access to essential preventive care. During this event, unsheltered women receive mammograms, cervical cancer screenings, vaccines, and early HPV detection services in a supportive and welcoming environment. This focus on high-quality care for women experiencing homelessness is especially important during Patient Safety Week in March, a nationwide effort to reduce harm and strengthen safe care practices across the health care system. By prioritizing preventive services and patient safety, Fourth Street Clinic works to ensure that every patient receives care in an environment [...]
As Homelessness Grows, Care Must Too
From January 29–31, volunteers across Salt Lake County participated in the nation-wide 2026 Point-in-Time Count. This annual count determines how many people are currently experiencing homelessness, including those sleeping on the street, in shelters, or in places such as cars and parks. The data collected during the count informs forward-looking decision-making for homeless service providers throughout the county; in 2025, the Point-in-Time Count showed an 18% increase in homelessness compared to 2024. For Fourth Street Clinic, the Point-in-Time Count is a critical tool for estimating the level of health care need among people experiencing homelessness in Salt Lake County, [...]