Homelessness leads to shorter life expectancy, local study says

CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) - The State of Illinois and researchers at UIC have completed a study which concludes that those experiencing homelessness face much shorter life expectancy and are at greater risk of being victims of violence.

While it may appear that this points out the obvious, the State’s Chief Homelessness Officer Christine Haley said, “The health inequities highlighted by this report are stark. The findings validate what we have long understood: All people need safe, affordable housing to live healthy lives.”

One of the authors, UIC Professor Lee Friedman, said, “The health concerns of people experiencing homelessness are not limited to psychiatric conditions and substance use disorders.”

Researchers used hospital records and death certificates between 2017 and 2022.

Friedman said, “People experiencing homelessness with chronic health conditions have a very high level of hospital utilization, and among those that died, the majority were suffering from chronic conditions.”

Haley concluded, “We must choose to collectively chart a new path- one that strengthens communities by prioritizing access to housing, particularly for our most marginalized neighbors.”

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