Title: National Coalition for the Homeless
Headings: Health Care and Homelessness
Health Care and Homelessness
Content: The National Health Care for the Homeless Council (2008) estimates that 70% of Health Care for the Homeless (HCH) clients do not have health insurance. Moreover, approximately 14% of people treated by homeless health care programs are children under the age of 15 (National Health Care for the Homeless Council, 2008). Inadequate health insurance is itself a cause for homelessness. Many people without health insurance have low incomes and do not have the resources to pay for health services on their own. A serious injury or illness in the family could result in insurmountable expenses for hospitalizations, tests, and treatment. For many, this forces a choice between hospital bills or rent. According to the National Health Care for the Homeless Council (2008), half of all personal bankruptcies in the United States are caused by health problems. Health care is even more of a problem for people who are already homeless. Homeless people are three to six times more likely to become ill than housed people (National Health Care for the Homeless Council, 2008). Homelessness precludes good nutrition, good personal hygiene, and basic first aid, adding to the complex health needs of homeless people.