Addressing determinants of sexually transmitted and blood borne infections among street-involved youth: Access to health services

This fact sheet examines access to health services as a determinant of sexually transmitted and blood borne infection (STBBI) vulnerability among street-involved youth in Canada. It is one in a series based on an analysis of current literature and findings from Cycle 6 of the Enhanced Street Youth Surveillance (E-SYS) system. These five fact sheets focus on key determinants of sexually transmitted and blood borne infections (STBBIs) among street-involved youth. The fact sheets in the series include: mental health and mental illness, unstable housing and homelessness, education and employment, experiences with the criminal justice system, and access to health services.

The goal of the fact sheets is to provide considerations for community organizations, public health professionals and federal, provincial and territorial governments of ways to address determinants of vulnerability to and resilience against STBBIs among street-involved youth in Canada. The fact sheets discuss the links between determinants of health and STBBI vulnerability, what can be done to address determinants of STBBI vulnerability and promising practices in addressing determinants of STBBI vulnerability and building resilience among street-involved youth.