The lack of housing isn't the only worrying problem for those facing homelessness

Homelessness affects thousands of people in Canada and causes serious health implications among the affected.

"Homeless people are at increased risk of dying prematurely and suffer from a wide range of health problems, including seizures, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, musculoskeletal disorders, tuberculosis, and skin and foot problems." These problems can be caused by a multitude of factors, most including barriers to health care.

Homeless people are also more likely to die at an earlier age. "Mortality rates among street youth in Montreal are 9 times higher for males and 31 times higher for females." Staying clean and sanitary, maintaining health, and physical problems are all reasons why the homeless have a higher death rate. Many homeless people cannot afford the privilege of staying healthy and being sanitary, hence a higher mortality rate.

Among the health problems those suffering homelessness may face, sexually transmitted diseases tend to be some of the most common. Housing instability and homelessness severity cause tension in people, and as a result, cause higher rates of STDs. Common risk factors for HIV for homeless youth include "prostitution, multiple sexual partners, inconsistent use of condoms and injection drug use." Sexual and reproductive health is a major problem in the youth homeless community, as higher STI prevalence "was associated with intimate partner violence, injection, and non-injection substance use, incarceration history and homelessness severity."

Cognitive deficits is another common health issue in the homeless community, caused mainly due to substance abuse. Substance abuse can be both a cause of homelessness and a method of survival. Drug abuse can disrupt families and tear them apart, causing many to turn homeless. "People who are homeless often turn to drugs and alcohol to cope with their situations. They use substances in an attempt to attain temporary relief from their problems." More drug usage does not decrease the problems, but enriches it. Breaking an addiction is extremely difficult, especially if you have poor motivation or if it's a pain reliever. Social support and treatment programs can be helpful, but most homeless people have difficulty remaining sober in streets where drugs are commonly used.

Although homelessness affects Canadians of all ages and has many effects, including a number of illnesses, the health care system may not be affordable or readily available for many of the homeless. More research is needed to solve this issue, and the search for a long-term solution is still a priority.

Works cited

1. Berenbaum, Erin. Homelessness and Health Outcomes: What Are the Associations? Key Messages. 2019.

2. Hwang, Stephen W. “Homelessness and Health.” CMAJ, vol. 164, no. 2, 23 Jan. 2001, pp. 229–233, www.cmaj.ca/content/164/2/229.

3. National Coalition for the Homeless. Substance Abuse and Homelessness. July 2009.

Researcher: Angelina Manoj (Researcher from Power to the Youth Toronto)

Editor: Cecilia Vong (Editor from Power to the Toronto)

Date published: March 7th 2022