The physical and mental health of the homeless in New York City is far worse than previously believed, a joint study by NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and Department of Homeless Services has found.
The rates of HIV and AIDS among homeless adults are 16 times higher as compared to normal New Yorkers and they were more likely to be hospitalized for mental disorders and drug addiction than normal people were. In addition, they had seven times higher risk of being diagnosed with HIV.
The study, called
The Health of Homeless Adults in New York City, took into account the problems faced by over 100,000 homeless adults who had spent a minimum of one night in a homeless shelter between 2001 and 2003. Around 55,914 of those who sought shelter were single adults and 46,832 adults in families.
“It is a unique and comprehensive report that looks at multiple health conditions in the same population, allowing us to understand where we should focus our efforts,” said Dr Bonnie Kerker, of the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.
The study found that between 2001 and 2003, homeless people died at the rate of 2,192 per 100,000 people. This figure is twice the death rate of normal adults in New York City. Besides HIV and AIDS, the instances of tuberculosis were also very high among the homeless – 11 times higher than normal people. Over sixty-nine per cent of hospitalizations among the homeless were due to mental disorders and drug addiction as against the 10 per cent among normal population.
While most single homeless women died due to HIV and AIDS, with a death rate nine times higher than that among the normal population, most single adult homeless men died to substance abuse, with a rate 16 times higher than normal adult males. Among other causes of death were heart ailments and cancer, like in the general population, and lung cancer.
“This report serves as a wake up call to the serious and specific health challenges of this vulnerable population, and underscores the importance of targeting our medical services to meet those needs,” said Deputy Mayor Linda I Gibbs. She added that there was a need to focus on the leading causes of illness and death to bring about positive changes in the health of homeless people.
Health Commissioner Dr Thomas R Frieden said that the study offers a 'dramatic look' at a population that is 'hard-to-reach' “It is a stark reminder of how urgently attention is needed. Progress requires working closely with our partners in community-based organizations and the health care community, particularly those providing direct services to homeless people. Working together, we can improve the health of homeless New Yorkers,” he said.
Using the findings, the agencies would draw up measures to create awareness about health issues and offer health support services. Among some such services would be cancer screening programs, resources of quitting smoking and tests for HIV and AIDS at homeless shelters.
“Safe, affordable housing is the most important resource for improving the lives and health of homeless individuals and families,” the authors said in the report, making many recommendations that can curb ill health among the homeless.
