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- Title
Describing the Health of the Absolutely Homeless Population in Downtown Calgary 2008.
- Authors
Nicholson, Cherie L.; Graham, John R.; Emery, J.C. Herbert; Schiff, Jeannette Waegemakers; Giacomin, Marina L.; Tanasescu, Alina I.
- Abstract
People experiencing homelessness carry a heavy burden of illness and disease compared to those in the general population. We analysed data from the Calgary 2008 Vulnerability Index (VI) survey to assess the health of individuals experiencing absolute homelessness. In October and December 2008 a convenience sample of 137 homeless individuals were surveyed with a variant of the Common Ground (New York) VI instrument. Calgary's homeless population has alarmingly poor health. The Calgary homeless have higher reported rates of liver disease, kidney disease, and frostbite when compared with other North American VI survey locations. Homeless females in Calgary are less prevalent than males but their health is much poorer. Homeless individuals in Calgary are sick and at an increased risk of dying prematurely. The VI is an effective tool to assess the health of the homeless population and should be further utilized to focus immediate interventions.
- Subjects
CALGARY (Alta.); ALBERTA; HEALTH of homeless people; SERVICES for homeless people; MENTAL health services for homeless people; POPULATION health; HEALTH care intervention (Social services); HEALTH status indicators
- Publication
Canadian Journal of Urban Research, 2010, Vol 19, Issue 2, p62
- ISSN
1188-3774
- Publication type
Article