Why homelessness matters to healthcare providers
Persons experiencing homelessness have an average lifespan 7-10 years less than the general population (Hwang 2009).
Among people who are vulnerably housed and homeless, chronic health conditions are common (REACH3 2010):
Persons experiencing homelessness are likely to be your patients.
Among people who are vulnerably housed and homeless (REACH3 2010):
Despite commonly accessing acute care, many persons experiencing homelessness report unmet healthcare needs (REACH3 2010).
Among people who are vulnerably housed and homeless, chronic health conditions are common (REACH3 2010):
- 52% report a past diagnosis of a mental health condition, including depression (31%), anxiety (14%), bipolar disorder (13%), schizophrenia (6%), and post-traumatic stress disorder (5%)
- 33% of this population reports arthritis
- 30% report having hepatitis B or C; 6% report having HIV
- 23% report asthma and 18% report COPD
- 18% report hypertension, 8% report diabetes, and 8% report heart disease
- These are self-reports, thus may drastically underestimate the true prevalence of these chronic conditions
Persons experiencing homelessness are likely to be your patients.
Among people who are vulnerably housed and homeless (REACH3 2010):
- 55% visited the emergency department in the past year
- 25% had been admitted to hospital overnight in the past year (not including overnight ED stays)
Despite commonly accessing acute care, many persons experiencing homelessness report unmet healthcare needs (REACH3 2010).
- 38% report that in the past year, they needed health care and were unable to get it
- 23% reported unmet mental health care needs
- Barriers to care include: low mood, being refused service, not having a health card, and long waits for care