The experience of homelessness both causes and exacerbates poor health. Homeless people are at higher risk for chronic, uncontrolled medical conditions such as asthma (4–6 times higher), cardiovascular diseases (2–4 times higher), and diabetes (up to 2 times higher) than are people in stable housing (Bonin et al. 2004, Zerger 2002). In national studies, overall prevalence rates of chronic medical illnesses range from one-third to one-half of surveyed homeless populations, compared with less than one-quarter of the housed population (Zerger 2002).
Categories:
Best Practices, Case Report, Clinical Practice, Homeless Services, Medical Respite