Healthcare & the Carceral System

History of Present Illness

• Mass incarceration, public health, and widening inequality in the USA

• Bringing healthcare to an often-forgotten population

Clinical Pearl:

When people are released from prison, they are at nearly a 13-fold risk of death in the first two weeks after release, with the primary cause of death being overdose, followed by cardiovascular disease, homicide and suicide. Although sicker overall, the previously incarcerated have poor integration with primary care services: they are significantly more likely to receive primary care in the ED and lack a primary care provider compared to the general population. Reasons for this have been studied, and include poor experiences with healthcare while incarcerated and lack of insurance.