Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week

Photo: A person sleeping on a park bench.

An estimated 1.56 million people spent at least one night in a homeless shelter in 2009. Poor living conditions and limited access to health care can have a great impact on a person's health. Being homeless is associated with health problems such as HIV/AIDS, viral hepatitis, and tuberculosis. Homeless individuals also experience disproportionately high rates of various other communicable infections and chronic diseases, suffer poorer mental health than average, are more likely to abuse substances, and are often the victims of violence.

The number of families affected by homelessness and those at risk of having inadequate or unstable housing are unfortunately growing. With the increase in foreclosures and other economic challenges, we must find ways to respond to the health needs of all populations. Through ingenuity, commitment, awareness, and compassion, we can address this public health challenge. The health challenge presented by homelessness points to the need to provide health services in ways that fit the community, the city, the family and the individual, whatever the context.

Addressing the public health needs of the homeless population requires collaborative and integrative efforts across CDC and with our partners and constituents. Together, we are working to identify ways we can improve the spectrum of factors and environments that determine available choices for healthy living. There is much that we can do to expand the way we think, talk about, and act to improve the health of homeless individuals and families.