Homelessness and Health
Educational information. Individual clinical review of this presentation by Dr. Ehsan is not yet documented. It does not replace personal medical evaluation.
Source: MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine. Read the original source
MedlinePlus data edition September 26, 2026. Imported September 27, 2026. These dates do not indicate a new clinical review of the article.
What are the causes of homelessness?
Each night, hundreds of thousands of people experience homelessness in the United States. Some of these people experience chronic homelessness, while others have temporarily lost their shelter. The reasons why they are homelessness are complex. They can include a combination of factors such as:
- Poverty
- Unemployment
- Lack of affordable housing
- Mental and substance use disorders
- Trauma and violence
- Intimate partner violence
- Justice-system involvement
- Sudden serious illness
- Divorce
- Death of a partner or parent
- Disabilities
What is the link between homelessness and health?
Poor health can contribute to homelessness. And being homeless can contribute to poor health. Many of the problems that people experiencing homelessness face can make their health worse, including:
- Limited access to health care
- Problems getting enough food
- Trouble staying safe
- Violence
- Stress
- Unsanitary living conditions
- Exposure to severe weather
What are some of the common health problems that people experiencing homelessness have?
Some of the common health problems that people experiencing homelessness may have include:
- HIV
- Lung diseases, including bronchitis, tuberculosis, and pneumonia
- Malnutrition
- Mental health problems
- Substance use problems
- Wounds and skin infections
Many people experiencing homelessness are dealing with trauma. They may have been abused or assaulted. This includes children, who are at risk for emotional and behavioral problems.
Contact your local homelessness assistance agency to get the help you need, such as access to shelters, health centers, and free meals.
Questions for your care team
General prompts to help prepare for your appointment.
- How does this information apply to my situation?
- Which symptoms or results need evaluation?
- Which tests are useful, and what can they tell us?
- What care options, benefits, and risks should we discuss?
- When should I seek urgent help, and whom should I call?
- When is follow-up, and how will we know whether the plan is working?
For a life-threatening emergency, call 911 in the U.S. or your local emergency number.
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