Clinical Research Directory

The WARM Study is a Pilot Study That Aims to Investigate the Impact of Environmental Factors on Acute and Chronic Wounds, Mental Illness, and Social Factors Among People Experiencing Housing Emergencies in Augsburg.

Providing healthcare to homeless people is a key and challenging task, both for society as a whole and for medical and psychosocial professionals. It must be noted that the standard healthcare system is hardly used, or can only be used to an insufficient extent, by homeless people, and therefore does not comprehensively reach this group. One low-threshold and acceptance-oriented service outside the standard care system is the Johanniter-Hilfsmobil, which was established on June 3, 2024, as an innovative approach to healthcare for homeless people in Augsburg and will be scientifically examined in the following study. The aim is to compare acute and chronic wounds in people experiencing housing emergencies who are treated by the Johanniter-Hilfsmobil with those of patients who attend the outpatient wound clinic at the Clinic for Vascular Surgery at Augsburg University Hospital. In addition, a saliva test will be carried out to estimate the amount and type of substance consumed, and a survey will be conducted among drug-dependent test subjects who present themselves either via the Johanniter-Hilfsmobil or via the substitution outpatient clinic of the Clinic for Psychiatry, Psychotherapy, and Psychosomatics at Augsburg District Hospital. Another focus of research is the quantitative and qualitative analysis of the psychosocial living situation and environmental influences on users of the Johanniter-Hilfsmobil.

Health Outcomes by Neighborhood - Baltimore

Background: \- Researchers have been studying patterns of mood and drug use in specific neighborhoods. This study will look at environmental factors that may affect drug use, addiction, and treatment seeking in Baltimore neighborhoods. The results could inform prevention efforts, enhance treatment interventions, and improve substance use outcomes. Objectives: \- To better understand why some people start to use drugs, why some people who use drugs become addicted, and why some people who become addicted enter treatment. Eligibility: \- Individuals at least 18 years of age who are living in the neighborhoods participating in the study. Design: * Participants will be screened with a physical exam and medical history. They will be separated into one of four groups: (1) people who do not use drugs, (2) people who have used drugs in the past, (3) people who are using drugs and want treatment, and (4) people who are using drugs and do not want treatment. * This study will include two outpatient visits about 12 months apart. Each visit will last about 5 hours. Each study visit may be done in 1 day or in 2 days. * At each study visit, participants will provide blood, breath, urine, and saliva samples. They will also have a heart function test and body measurements. They will complete questionnaires about personal and family history. * There will be monthly follow-up phone calls between the two visits.