Thibaudeau and Denoncourt have found that homeless persons often only enter the health care system after their health has greatly deteriorated (2000). This finding was true for American researchers of similar populations (ibid. Burg). While in Canada there is not the same restriction on access to health care due to lack of universal medical insurance as in America, we find that marginalized populations in both countries are failing to fully access the preventative health care services available to them. This further buttresses the conclusion that marginalized populations are being deterred from accessing health care services by the poor treatment they receive from staff in health care settings (ibid. Thibaudeau & Denoncourt). This raises an important issue regarding the inequities of the current health care system, specifically as they impact homeless women, who often suffer from the most deleterious manifestations of low self-esteem. While the task of empowering a population which feels helpless and unable to evoke change may seem impossible, by dissecting the past victimizations of homeless women, exactly such change may, in fact, be possible.

Currently, neither counseling nor psychotherapy are readily accessible health care services without a diagnosed mental illness even for mainstream society. Counseling and psychotherapy are normally covered only by private extended health benefits. The marginalized population is not accessing regular health care unless absolutely necessary, therefore, they cannot be expected to access preventative health services. A large reform in how marginalized populations are treated in emergency health care settings must take place. Emergency rooms are where most of this population will end up seeking help; therefore, it should be the focal point of attitudinal shifts. Breaking away from a medical model to more of a holistic nursing model. Looking at the whole person, asking questions regarding current health care practices and areas of health care access for homeless women. Giving guidance for locations of holistic nursing care, safe, non-judgmental settings where counseling services could be offered. If a homeless person feels that their health care provider is giving them unconditional positive regard and genuinely cares about their health needs, they are more likely to maintain a relationship or seek help from that provider. This would serve to open the lines of communication whereby change could possibly take place.