Sickness And Use Of The Health Services By The Homeless

This report is a survey of sickness patterns in the homeless and their use of health services.
The report shows overall that there is more sickness among those who have been homeless than those in the rest of the population. Among other things, this is related to high incidences of substance abuse and mental disorders among the homeless. However, even after adjusting for substance abuse and mental disorders, the homeless have a higher risk of contracting a number of diseases such as infectious diseases. pneumonia and COPD.
The survey also identifies greater use of the health services among homeless people. Emergency departments, doctors and emergency doctors have more consultations with the homeless than with the rest of the population. However, even though homeless people more often use the health services in general, there are clinics which they rarely visit. The report shows that they rarely go to the dentist or to medical specialists.
The significant over-incidence of sickness among the homeless indicates a general need to incorporate a health dimension in social support for these people.
This survey has been financed by the Health Insurance Foundation.