Homeless Healthcare

Homelessness is an outcome at the sharp end of social and health inequalities. Housing is a key social determinant of health and a substantial body of research has shown that chronic homelessness marks a significantly increased risk of poor physical health, poor mental health and premature death. The stark reality is that in the United Kingdom the average age of death for homeless patients is just 47 for men and 43 for women. Although providing housing is a vital step in addressing this appalling outcome, this alone will not resolve the underlying problems. The reasons for the premature mortality are not solely due to the conditions of homelessness itself; homeless people often die as a result of treatable medical conditions such as respiratory disease, infectious diseases, consequences of drug and alcohol dependence and cardiovascular disease.

This chapter explores further:

The main causes of homelessness, helping you to act at an early stage to help prevent patients becoming homeless.

The challenges that people experiencing homelessness face in accessing and utilising healthcare services.

Skills to facilitate effective consultations with people experiencing homelessness.

Practices that will improve safe prescribing for those experiencing homelessness.

Clinical conditions particularly relevant to people experiencing homelessness.