Homelessness can seriously damage both physical and mental health, and it also makes it much harder to get care or recover from existing conditions.

Physical health impacts

  • Greater risk of infections such as tuberculosis, hepatitis C, HIV and COVID‑19 due to crowded shelters, poor ventilation, and limited access to hygiene.
  • Higher rates of chronic illnesses like asthma, diabetes, heart and lung disease, and other long‑term conditions than in the general population.
  • More injuries and untreated problems (e.g., frostbite, wounds, dental issues, musculoskeletal pain) from sleeping outside, exposure to the elements, and unsafe environments.
  • Overall mortality is much higher, and life expectancy is shorter for people experiencing homelessness compared with housed people.

Mental health and substance use

  • Daily stress about safety, food, and where to sleep can increase anxiety, depression, and post‑traumatic stress disorder.
  • Many people experiencing homelessness face serious mental illness, which can both contribute to and be worsened by being unhoused.
  • Substance use disorders are more common, and the combination of trauma, pain, and lack of treatment can trap people in a cycle of poor health and instability.

Barriers to healthcare

  • People without stable housing often lack regular access to primary care, insurance, or transportation, leading to delayed care and more emergency room visits.
  • Structural and social barriers (stigma, discrimination, complex systems) mean treatable conditions can progress to severe illness or death.
  • Pain and other symptoms are often undertreated or inconsistently treated, which further harms quality of life.

Social and environmental factors

  • Living in congregate shelters or on the street exposes people to violence and victimization, which increases both physical injuries and mental health problems.
  • Poor nutrition, sleep deprivation, and constant stress weaken the immune system and worsen existing illnesses.
  • Stigma and dehumanizing language make it harder for people experiencing homelessness to seek help and for communities to support effective solutions.

Why this matters for communities

  • High rates of hospitalizations and emergency care among people experiencing homelessness show how closely housing and health are linked.
  • Addressing homelessness as a health issue—through stable housing, accessible healthcare, and social support—can reduce suffering and improve outcomes for entire communities.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.