Homelessness is a silent killer

30/12/2011

Homelessness charity Crisis published new research on mortality amongst homeless people on December 21st 2011.  Using national data sets Dr Bethan Thomas from the University of Sheffield produced new mortality estimates for homeless people. She calculated the average age of death for homeless people to be around 47, and only 43 for homeless women. The report's publication was covered by the Today programme on Radio 4, on television news and in a number of national newspapers. Speaking to the Guardian newspaper Pathway chief executive Alex Bax said:

"This new report from Crisis demonstrates once again why the NHS needs to pay specific attention to the health consequences and costs of homelessness, and make homeless health a priority.  The best NHS services can literally save homeless people's lives but far too many health services treat homeless people as second class citizens."

The full research report is avaiable on the Crisis web site here.