Homelessness and Health
Trevor Gamache
Homelessness and Health
Introduction
Homelessness has become an evolving epidemic of our time, and the health implications associated with being homeless makes it that much worse. Homeless people are at major risk for premature death and a wide range of health problems such as HIV, skin blemishes, and much more. It is very difficult for homeless people to fix their health issues due to the difficulty of accessing health care possibly because of missing health cards, or simply because of the stigma placed on them when they enter a public facility. Whatever the problem may be that is forcing more people to become homeless, it must be solved, and quickly before our world turns into a travesty.
Raphael, Dennis (ed.). 2004. Social Determinants of Health: Canadian Perspectives. Toronto: Canadian Scholars’ Press.
In the article titled Housing and Health by Toba Bryant, the always alarming issue about the effect of homelessness on health is thoroughly discussed. According to the Ottawa Charter for Health promotion, shelter is considered a prerequisite for health. Not only does having a home provide physical health in terms of warmth and protection from the environment, but it creates a sense of care towards one`s mental health as well. Having a home provides the feeling of being safe, and having a sense of belonging and ownership. Bryant`s article suggests that there are many conditions and ailments the homeless crowd must face. Some of these include “greater incidence of mental illness, HIV infection, and physical violence” (Dunn, 2000: 220), many of which the degree may be lessened with the presence of shelter. More specifically to Canada, a survey done by Ambrosio et al. (1992) in Toronto showed that the homeless are at higher risk for diseases such as asthma, epilepsy, arthritis, or chronic respiratory diseases. Many people already know that homelessness puts you at greater risk for premature death, and Kushner (1998) says that it shortens life
Homelessness and Health
Introduction
Homelessness has become an evolving epidemic of our time, and the health implications associated with being homeless makes it that much worse. Homeless people are at major risk for premature death and a wide range of health problems such as HIV, skin blemishes, and much more. It is very difficult for homeless people to fix their health issues due to the difficulty of accessing health care possibly because of missing health cards, or simply because of the stigma placed on them when they enter a public facility. Whatever the problem may be that is forcing more people to become homeless, it must be solved, and quickly before our world turns into a travesty.
Raphael, Dennis (ed.). 2004. Social Determinants of Health: Canadian Perspectives. Toronto: Canadian Scholars’ Press.
In the article titled Housing and Health by Toba Bryant, the always alarming issue about the effect of homelessness on health is thoroughly discussed. According to the Ottawa Charter for Health promotion, shelter is considered a prerequisite for health. Not only does having a home provide physical health in terms of warmth and protection from the environment, but it creates a sense of care towards one`s mental health as well. Having a home provides the feeling of being safe, and having a sense of belonging and ownership. Bryant`s article suggests that there are many conditions and ailments the homeless crowd must face. Some of these include “greater incidence of mental illness, HIV infection, and physical violence” (Dunn, 2000: 220), many of which the degree may be lessened with the presence of shelter. More specifically to Canada, a survey done by Ambrosio et al. (1992) in Toronto showed that the homeless are at higher risk for diseases such as asthma, epilepsy, arthritis, or chronic respiratory diseases. Many people already know that homelessness puts you at greater risk for premature death, and Kushner (1998) says that it shortens life