Human Impact Partners Evidence Base
Articles in Homelessness is associated with poor health.
Homeless people have many of the same health problems as people with homes, but at rates three to six times greater than housed people.
Cheung AM, Hwang SW. Risk of death among homeless women: a cohort study and review of the literature. Can Med Assoc J. 2004;170(8):1243-1247.In homeless shelters, high levels of contact, poor nutrition, poor access to health care, and substance abuse contributes to an increased risk for skin diseases, respiratory infections and outbreaks of tuberculosis and other aerosol transmitted infectious diseases.
Francis J. Curry National Tuberculosis Center, Institutional Consultation Services, California Department of Health Services. TB in homeless shelters: reducing the risk through ventilation, filters, and UV. 2000. Available at: www.nationaltbcenter.ucsf.edu/international/ISTC_report.pdf. Accessed July 7, 2009.
Raoult D, Foucault C, Brouqui P. Infections in the homeless. Lancet Infect Dis. 2001;1(2):77-84.Many homeless people are in desperate need of health care services, but because they are often uninsured and lack access to preventative health care, they go without care until minor problems become urgent medical emergencies.
Kushel MB, Vittinghoff E, Haas, JS. Factors associated with the healthcare utilization of homeless persons. J Am Med Assoc. 2001;285(2):200-206.Homelessness is linked to higher rates of mortality and increased morbidity due to respiratory infections and poor nutrition.
Krieger J, Higgins D. Housing and health: time again for public health action. Am J Public Health. 2002;92(5): 758-768.Homelessness and living in temporary housing have been linked to behavioral problems and depression among children.
Krieger J, Higgins D. Housing and health: time again for public health action. Am J Public Health. 2002;92(5): 758-768.