- Hunger and Nutrition - Food is not always available to the homeless, and even when food is available there is no guarantee of it being healthy and nutritious. Many soup kitchens include in meals fast food items like pizza, candy and pastries which can be up to half of the food being provided. Unhealthy food may lead to diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure and even heart disease.
- Skin & Foot Problems - Foot disorders such as onychomycosis, tinea pedis, corns and callouses, and immersion foot are usually the result of inadequate footwear (ill-fitted shoes and worn out socks), prolonged exposure to moisture, long periods of walking and standing, and repetitive minor trauma. Homeless living on the street are particularly prone to develop skin diseases such as cellulitis, impetigo, venous stasis disease, scabies and body lice. The inability to shower often and maintain good hygiene often adds to existing health issues.
- Infectious Diseases - Homeless are often at risk to get infections diseases such as hepatitis A, B, and C, tuberculosis, and HIV/AIDS—due to compromised immune systems, poor nutrition and hygiene, and frequent overcrowding at shelters. Furthermore, some activities that some homeless people engage in, such as intravenous drug use, also increases the risk of the spread of disease. This, combined with barriers many homeless people face in getting treatment, make avoiding infectious diseases difficult. Most infectious diseases cause mild short-term effects, while others cause serious long-term effects which could lead to life-threatening complications.
- Dental Problems - Periods of prolonged homelessness are often detrimental to oral health. The inability to access preventative and restorative care, combined with poor hygiene, often results in tooth decay and other oral health issues.
- Respiratory Illness - Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, emphysema, bronchitis and other forms of respiratory disease are also common among people experiencing homelessness.
- Chronic Diseases and Disorders - Many chronic diseases and disorders, like hypertension and diabetes, are common in homeless populations. Homelessness has also been associated with seizures. In one 2006 study, 49.3% of people in the sample group were diagnosed with epilepsy and 40.7% with alcohol-related seizures. In the latter group, other factors like sleep deprivation, anxiety, and stress also contributed to the seizures.
- Sexual & Reproductive Care - This is an area of health with a growing research base, especially among young people who are most at risk. Youth who are homeless tend to have more sexual partners and at younger ages, making them more at risk of sexually transmitted diseases. Being homeless makes reproductive conditions like pregnancy even more stressful, due to already having compromised health and lacking support systems.
- Mental Health Issues - A large part of the homeless population has serious mental health issues. Approximately 30-35% of the homeless, in general, and up to 75% of homeless women specifically, have been diagnosed with a mental illness. 20-25% of homeless people suffer from concurrent disorders (severe mental illness and addictions). People who have a severe mental illness are over-represented in the homeless population, as they are often released from hospitals and jails without proper community supports. Depression rates are also higher among the homeless population, with 22-46% having attempted suicide and up to 61 percent having had suicidal thoughts.
- Musculoskeletal Disorders and Chronic Pain - Disorders that affect joints, ligaments and tendons (like arthritis) are common among people experiencing homelessness. One study on managing chronic pain among homeless persons found that treatment is a challenge due to stressful living on streets or in shelters, inability to afford prescription medications, and poor sleeping conditions. Some refuse to see doctors for their pain because of how they have been treated in the past, and some use drugs or alcohol to cope with their pain because their history of missed appointments or drug use prevents doctors from prescribing over-the-counter pain medication. As a result, much chronic pain goes untreated.
- Mortality and Unintentional Injuries - Homeless have a significantly higher risk of death. Unintentional injuries are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality, especially among men. Injuries are often the result of falls or being struck by a motor vehicle. Deaths due to an unintentional overdose of drugs or alcohol, or both, are also common. Exposure to the elements is a major hazard. In cold weather, the risk of frostbite and hypothermia is substantial, and deaths due to freezing are not uncommon. In hot weather, severe sunburn and heatstroke can occur. Suicides among homeless are also common. Violence is also a factor in death and injuries. One Toronto survey found that in the year prior, 40% of people who were homeless had been assaulted, and 21% of homeless women had been raped. Another study from the same city found that homeless men are about 9 times more likely to be murdered than men who are housed. The harsh conditions of being homeless often lead to serious injury or death. Just this past January, a homeless man died from a fire in his makeshift shelter, where he was trying to stay warm.
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