2024 Incentive Grant Recipient: Anni Yu, PharmD
Project Proposal: How can the pharmacy profession improve equity and access for the unhoused population?
Anni Yu is a WesternU/986 PGY1 Community Pharmacy Resident in Pomona, CA. She graduated from Western University of Health Sciences College of Pharmacy.
“Homelessness has been a worldwide problem with significant influence on health outcomes. Resources are available to help people facing homelessness, but many of them have challenges accessing these resources. Community pharmacists are often described as the most accessible healthcare providers. Since they are heavily integrated into their communities, they may be able to serve as an access point to coordinate care for the homeless population.”
"986 HOPE is a community outreach program established by the 986 Corporation of Independent Pharmacies whose mission is to close the gap in healthcare for the unhoused population. Providers, who are sent to locations where these patients congregate, have observed that patients in this community are sometimes unwilling to accept the recommendations or refuse to participate in the services provided. The purpose of this project is to explore what may be the underlying barriers that prevent the unhoused population from accessing healthcare and possible opportunities for community pharmacies to address these barriers."
"The most exciting part of this project is that it allows us to explore new ways that pharmacists can help patients in their community, especially those who are underserved. Many healthcare providers may find it difficult to address the healthcare needs of the unhoused population. The outcomes of this project may be used to develop educational resources that pharmacists can employ and share with others to better serve the members of their communities."