When an individual is unhoused, poor nutrition or food insecurity, sleep deprivation, poor hygiene, social isolation, victimization and exposure to the weather are just some of the conditions homeless individuals experience on a daily basis. Connection to services, including shelter and housing, increases the opportunity for stability and wellness.
Health Consequences of Homelessness
The mortality rate for those unhoused is four times greater than the general population. The rate is even higher among young, unhoused men. On average, unhoused individuals’ lifespan is shorter by 20 years, than the general population. Men who are unhoused have a 32% chance of reaching the age of 75, while women have a 60% chance. These conditions and stresses faced by unhoused individuals have significant health consequences. Approximately 85% of unhoused individuals experience chronic health conditions, 30% experience mental health challenges and the population is five times more likely to be hospitalized than the general public, typically staying for longer.
Research finds that unhoused individuals are:
5 times
More likely to have mental health challenges
3 times
More likely to have a substance use disorder
4 times
More likely to have complex health conditions
Well-Being of Society
In a 2006 article in The New Yorker “Million-Dollar Murray” profiled a chronically homeless man in Reno, Nevada which estimated the public cost of supporting him at roughly over a million dollars over a decade through repeated ambulance rides, ER visits, hospital stays, detox, jail and court costs. You can read the full article here.
Feed the Need
Lookout provides food programming to support adequate nutrition and food security, including guest participation in creating healthy meals. In doing so, individuals learn about nutrition, working collaboratively, problem solving and social interaction. Preparing and sharing a meal together also builds a sense of community.