To be inhumane is one thing. To be inefficient is another.
With our approach to chronic homelessness in America, we are both.
This isn’t a political statement or a social commentary. It’s more of a diagnosis...One that I have missed for years.
Brian Klausner, MD
In the Gaps - Now Available Now Across all Book Selling platforms!
In the Gaps is a thought-provoking, frank, and bold discussion on the growing crisis of chronic homelessness in America that is paralyzing and polarizing our communities as we hemorrhage taxpayer dollars. Through incredible stories of resilience and heartbreaking accounts of childhood trauma and its long-term effect into adulthood, Klausner shows the science behind reflexive bias and dehumanization, challenging us to become a more humane and efficient society by better living up to commonly shared values that should unite us, not divide us.
What People Are Saying about In the Gaps
“This magnificent book transcends the divisiveness and rancor in current policies and attitudes toward homelessness in America. Humor, science, and wisdom are punctuated with unforgettable stories from the streets and shelters told by a brilliant and compassionate doctor. This book will inflame your heart, stimulate your mind, and ultimately challenge us all to embrace our shared ideals of respect, altruism, and love for one another. Brace yourself for a breathtaking and radical journey.”
- Jim O’Connell, MD, President, Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program, Assistant Professor, Harvard Medical School, subject of Rough Sleepers by Tracy Kidder
“In the Gaps is a must read…for everyone. From his firsthand perspective, Dr. Klausner weaves a story of the unhoused that humanizes those who perhaps bear the greatest brunt of society’s ills, those that most of us choose not to see. His masterful analysis of root causes digs deep into racism, historical injustices, and enduring inequitable social structures. By moving beyond individual shortcomings, he forces us to see ourselves and the systems that we uphold in the solutions that can address homelessness and other big social problems. Though current generations did not cause these problems, we must act to solve them or be crushed by the cost of our inefficiencies. Brilliant!”
-Laura Gerald, MD, MPH; President, Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust
“An important and illuminating book. With humanity and rigor, Dr. Brian Klausner takes readers on an engaging, at times heart-rending journey to the front lines of chronic homelessness in America, sharing his experiences caring for some of the nation’s most vulnerable patients and exploring the broader forces that are shaping this national crisis.”
-Noam Levey, Senior Correspondent, KFF Health News.
“Whether you are a healthcare professional, a civic leader, or just someone who stares in disbelief at the plight of those living on the street, you need to read this book to truly understand where to start to fix the gaps in our humanity. Dr. Klausner has walked-the-walk, literally, on the streets, as well as the boardrooms centered on the health and welfare of the unhoused. He gives us a guide for where we should be putting our resources and our hearts.“
-Matthew Nathan, MD, 37th Surgeon General United States Navy
“Dr. Brian Klausner’s compelling new book on providing healthcare to the unhoused will both open your eyes and break your heart. Through expert storytelling, Klausner illustrates how our healthcare system can both help and hurt this pervasive problem in our communities. From his two decades of working on the frontlines in Boston and Raleigh, Dr. Klausner humanizes the “statistics of suffering” and outlines compassionate solutions. Whether you are in the medical field or simply a concerned human, this book is essential reading for those of us wanting to understand the complexities of caring for the unhoused.”
-Kathy Izard, Author of The Hundred Story Home and Trust the Whisper
“After wiping tears from my face numerous times, I had to process the stories and wisdom that Dr. Brian Klausner shared in this must-read book. Some takeaways: Our unsheltered community should not be judged or blamed. They should be helped. And yes, treating people is expensive, but it is more expensive if we take shortcuts. Finally, cities, counties, states and the federal government need to work better together to address homelessness, prevent trauma and ensure that more housing is built throughout our country. It's time we treat our unsheltered as human beings ... because they are.”
-Mary-Ann Baldwin, Mayor of Raleigh 2019-2024
"Dr. Brian Klausner's work is a testament to the profound beauty of human resilience. His ability to see beyond physical and emotional scars and uncover each individual's hidden strength is truly inspiring. In In the Gaps, he not only gives a voice to the overlooked but also celebrates the quiet, messy, and unyielding spirit that defines us all. His insights have deeply resonated with me, as a fellow survivor, reminding us that even in the darkest moments, there is a transformative power in our shared humanity."
– Jose Pereira, Author of From Hero to Villain and 5 years Hostage Survivor, member of the CITGO6
“A compelling and immensely readable book about the plight of the forgotten from a doctor who has spent a lifetime knowing them.”
-Shantanu Nundy, MD, author of Care After Covid, Chief Health Officer Accolade
About Brian Klausner
Dr. Brian Klausner attended the University of Notre Dame before training at Georgetown University Medical School. He has spent his career caring for high-risk patients experiencing homelessness on the streets and in the clinics of Boston and Raleigh while simultaneously serving in administrative leadership roles in the evolving world of population health. He has a particular interest in building models that proactively identify and engage patients at the highest risk for poor outcomes. Dr. Klausner co-chaired Wake County's Familiar Face Population Health Task Force and helped establish WakeMed’s Center for Community Health, Innovation, and Equity. His work has been recognized with numerous awards and featured in outlets such as Politico, USA Today, NPR, and Modern Healthcare.
