2.4 The Health of Street Youth in Canada: A Review of the Literature

This chapter contains a review of 52 studies on data on blood-borne and sexually transmitted infections, mental health problems, pregnancy, violence, and mortality among street youth. The studies show that rates of hepatitis B and C and HIV infection, as well as mental health problems, pregnancies, and assault are higher among street youth than among non-street youth and that the mortality rate for street youth is 11 times higher the expected rate; death is mainly caused by suicide or drug overdose. The authors note the need for further epidemiological research, especially in Canada.

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Editor(s): 
Hulchanski, J. David
Campsie, Philippa
Chau, Shirley B.Y.
Hwang, Stephen H.
Paradis, Emily
Publication Date: 
2009
Publisher(s): 
Canadian Observatory on Homelessness