Health and Homelessness Poor health and lack of access to health care are among the causes of homelessness. For families and individuals struggling to pay for housing and other needs of daily living, the onset of a serious illness or disability can easily result in homelessness following the depletion of financial resources. Homelessness is a health hazard. The experience of homelessness causes poor health, exacerbates existing illness, and seriously complicates treatment. Conditions such as frostbite, leg ulcers, and respiratory infections are a direct result of living on the street.
Homelessness precludes good nutrition, good personal hygiene, and basic first aid.
Persons without a regular place to stay are also at greater risk of physical and emotional trauma resulting from muggings, beatings, and rape. Conditions that require regular, uninterrupted treatment, such as tuberculosis, HIV, diabetes, hypertension, addiction, and mental illness, are extremely difficult to treat or manage in the absence of a stable residence. The consequences of restricted access to comprehensive health care are reflected in extremely high rates of both chronic and acute health problems among persons experiencing homelessness. The Institute of Medicine has determined that those without a regular place to stay are far more likely to suffer from most categories of chronic health problems in comparison to the general population. Research also demonstrates that the cost of acute care for people experiencing homelessness is significantly higher than for the general population.