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Health: Chronic Illnesses/Diseases and Mortality
Studies have documented the high burden of illness among homeless people due to chronic medical conditions, tuberculosis and HIV infection, and traumatic injuries.These illnesses,in conjunction with severe poverty and inadequate access to health care, lead to high mortality rates among homeless people.

Chronic medical problems that are prevalent among homelessadults include seizures, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease,arthritis and other musculoskeletal disorders.Conditionssuch as hypertension, diabetes and anemia are often inadequatelycontrolled and may go undetected for long periods.Respiratorytract infections are common and oral and dental health is oftenpoor.

Homeless people are at increased risk of contracting tuberculosis(TB), a diagnosis that should be considered in any homelessindividual with a fever and a persistent productive cough.Conditions favoring TB outbreaks in shelters include crowding,large transient populations and inadequate v...entilation.Morethan half of all TB cases among homeless people represent clustersof primary tuberculosis rather than reactivation of old disease.

HIV/AIDS is a common cause of death among people experiencing homelessness. Common risk factors for HIV infection in homeless youth in Canadainclude prostitution, multiple sexual partners, inconsistentuse of condoms, and injection drug use.In homeless adults, injection drug use and crack cocaine, rather thansexual behaviours, were associated with an increased likelihoodof HIV infection.

Homeless people have a greatly increased risk of death. Unintentional injuries are a leading cause of morbidity andmortality, especially among homeless men. Injuries are oftenthe result of falls or being struck by a motor vehicle. Deathsdue to an unintentional overdose of drugs or alcohol, or both,are also common. Exposure to the elements is a major hazard.In cold weather, the risk of frostbite and hypothermia is substantial,and deaths due to freezing are not uncommon. In hot weather, severe sunburn and heatstroke can occur.

AUTHOR: Power, Asetha (2008) Homeless Hub. [Show More][Show Less]


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A Canadian Homelessness Research Network (CHRN) initiative. The CHRN has received financial support from the Government of Canada’s Homelessness Partnering Strategy and the Social Science and Humanities Research Council of Canada