Program evaluation of Women's Health Days

Abstract

The Greater Hamilton Health Network (GHHN), in partnership with local health and social service agencies, has been offering free drop-in health and wellness services to women, trans, and gender-diverse persons experiencing homelessness in Hamilton (“Women’s Health Days”). There is a strong need for accessible health services for this population. There is a heightened prevalence of chronic conditions and mental health issues among this population, who often need frequent access to high-quality, safe, and tailored healthcare services. The McMaster Research Shop, in close collaboration with GHHN, conducted process and outcome evaluations of the Women’s Health Day event hosted by GHHN at Good Shepherd in Hamilton, Ontario on July 13 and 14, 2022. The event convened numerous health and social service agencies that serve homeless women, trans, and non-binary people in Hamilton. The process evaluation aimed to understand service use and satisfaction with the event. The outcome evaluation aimed to understand if the event enhanced participants’ access to healthcare services and whether the services offered at the event met their healthcare needs.