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Homelessness and Health
Homelessness affects both physical and mental health and makes accessing health care difficult. As a result, people experiencing homelessness often face higher rates of poor health outcomes than people with housing. Public health tools are particularly important to protect the health of people experiencing homelessness and support the end of homelessness.
Related Homelessness Resources
Training on Homelessness for Public Health Providers
This course will provide public health professionals with the knowledge and skills needed to ensure public health protections reach people experiencing homelessness and recognize and respond to public health emergencies among people experiencing homelessness.
The Journal of Infectious Diseases Supplement on Homelessness and Infectious Disease
Volume 226, Issue Supplement_3, 15 October 2022
Communications Planning for Reaching People Experiencing Homelessness [PDF – 1 MB]
When COVID-19 began to spread throughout the United States in early 2020, advocates and policymakers recognized that people experiencing homelessness were particularly vulnerable to the negative outcomes associated with the disease
Public Health and Homelessness Peer-to-Peer Network
The Public Health and Homelessness Peer-to-Peer Network is an informal group of state and local health departments, physicians, and local service providers. The group meets bi-monthly to discuss a wide range of topics regarding public health and homelessness. Members also share best practices, engage in group problem-solving, and share questions and solutions to pressing challenges. To learn more about the network or to sign up to attend meetings, email us at specialpopulations@cdc.gov.