|
Understanding Homelessness
Physical and Mental Health of Homeless People
"Homeless people die younger. The average age of death of those recorded as homeless on corners reports varies between 42 and 53 years." - Homelessness Fact File (2003) Crisis
- Holohan reported that 66% of homeless people he studied experienced at least one physical or psychiatric problem. [1]
- Homeless people are more likely then their housed counterparts to suffer from
- Arthritis & problems with bones and joints
- Heart disease
- Tuberculosis
- Eye & ear complaints
- Epilepsy
- Skin problems
- Headaches
- Injuries from accidents and assaults. [2][3][4][5][6]
- Condon found that 98% of the homeless people she examined needed dental treatment. [7]
- "Many [homeless people] spend long hours standing in public places or walking around the streets which leads to musculo-skeletal and circulatory problems such as arthritis, leg ulcers, edema and cellulites". [8]
- Over 50% of homeless drug users in one study reported being Hep C (HCV) positive. Not all had been tested. [9]
- One study found that 37% of homeless people had no close friends and 47% had no close relatives they could approach when they need support. [10]
- It is estimated that between 25% and 50% of people who are homeless experience mental health problems. [11][12][13][14].
- There are also significant numbers of homeless people who experience the coexistence of metal health issues and drugs problems (dual diagnosis).
- Cleary and Prizeman (1998) found that 68% of homeless people attending a day centre had attempted suicide. [15]
- Between 38% and 47% of homeless people do not have a medical card. [16][17][18][19]
SOURCES
1. Holohan, T. (1997) Health Status, Health Service Utilisation and Barriers to Health Service Utilisation among the Adult Homeless Population of Dublin. Eastern Health Board
2. Feeney, A., H. McGee, T. Holohan, and W. Shannon (2000) Health of Hostel-Dwelling Men in Dublin. Dublin: Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland and Eastern Health Board.
3. Crisis. Homelessness Fact File (2003) Crisis.
4. Holohan, T (1997) as cited above
5. Condon, M. (ed.) (2001) The Health and Dental Needs of Homeless People in Dublin. Northern Area Health Board
6. Lawless, M & C. Corr (2005) Drug Use Amongst the Homeless Population in Ireland. National Advisory Committee on Drugs & Merchants Quay Ireland
7. Condon, M (2001) as cited above
8. Crisis (2003) as cited above
9. Lawless & Corr (2005) as cited above
10. Feeney et al (2000) as cited above
11. Amnesty International (2003) Mental Illness-The Neglected Quarter-Homelessness. Amnesty International All Ireland Section.
12. McKeown, K (1999) Mentally Ill and Homeless in Ireland: Facing the Reality, Finding the Solutions. Disability Federation of Ireland.
13. Feeney, A et al (2000) as cited above
14. Homeless Agency (2004) Making it Home: An Action Plan on Homelessness in Dublin 2004-2006. Homeless Agency.
15. Cleary, A & G. Prizeman (1998) Homelessness and Mental Health. Social Science Research Center
16. Corr, C (2003) A Step in the Right Direction. An Evaluation of the Failtiu Information and Advice Service in Pieces of the Jigsaw - Six Reports Addressing Homelessness and Drug Use in Ireland. Merchants Quay Ireland
17 Feeney et al (2000) as cited above
18. Holohan et al (1997) as cited above
19. Lawless, M & C. Corr (2005) as cited above
This fact sheet ©Merchants Quay Ireland 2006 |
