Inequalities are very real for people experiencing homelessness
Across all forms of health care needs, both physical and mental, as well as access to necessary support, people experiencing homelessness report poorer diagnoses and greater barriers to the healthcare needed than the general population. We must understand why this is and address the systemic change needed.
Understanding the challenges facing people who are homeless
Homeless Link developed the Health Needs Audit tool for use with communities of people who have experienced homelessness. The audit has been carried out across dozens of local authorities and health authorities.
The results have been collated into our groundbreaking publication series, the "Unhealthy State of Homelessness" which some of the best research published about the challenged facing people who are homeless.
Findings from the Homeless Health Needs Audit
Health inequality
People experiencing homelessness suffer from worse physical and mental health than the general population
Long-term illness and disability
Between 2018 – 2021 63% of respondents reported they had a long term illness, disability or infirmity
Mental health
The number of people with a mental health diagnosis has increased substantially from 45% in 2014 to 82% in the 2018 – 2021 cohort
Drugs and alcohol
45% of respondents reported they are self-medicating with drugs or alcohol to help them cope with their mental health
News about health and homelessness
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News
Homeless women’s health matters
Jo Prestidge looks at some of the specific health challenges facing women who are homeless and how services can support them. She looks particularly at recent research on menstruation and some new resources on the menopause.
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News
Free online training from Homeless Link
Checkout our free online bitesize e-learning packages for people working in frontline homelessness services. Also including fundraising training.
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News
Improving access to healthcare: Tower Hamlets Health and Wellness Fairs
We spoke to Providence Row, winners of the Excellence Awards 2023, about their award-winning health and wellness fairs that are improving access to healthcare for people experiencing homelessness in Tower Hamlets.
Latest health resources
These are the latest pieces of health and homelessness guidance that we have published.
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New Psychoactive Substances (NPS)
Information and resources for frontline homelessness organisations on New Psychoactive Substances, including nitazenes and other synthetic opioids.
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Autism and Homelessness
A toolkit to help homelessness teams improve their support to people who are, or may be, autistic.
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Holding conversations about health
People experiencing homelessness face significant healthcare challenges and significant barriers to accessing healthcare services. We have created a range of resources to ensure workers in the homelessness sector have existing skills and opportunities to talk to people around their healthcare needs.
Health-related courses
As part of our work to improve the effectiveness of the sector, Homeless Link also provides training courses that can be delivered either to a team or to individuals.
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