Common Health Issues Among Homeless Individuals in the United States.

homelesslongisland
Oct 8, 2025
2 min read

Updated: Oct 26, 2025

Summary:

Homelessness in the United States is linked to high rates of chronic illnesses, infectious diseases, and mental health disorders. The challenges faced by this population highlight the need for improved healthcare access and social support systems.

Common Health Issues Among Homeless Individuals in the United States

What Are the Most Common Illnesses Homeless People Have in the United States?

Homelessness significantly increases the .prevalence and severity of both chronic and infectious illnesses. The most common illnesses among homeless populations include:

Chronic Conditions:

- Diabetes: Many homeless individuals struggle with managing insulin intake, diet, and basic hygiene, leading to complications affecting vision, circulation, and heart health. Access to proper nutrition and diabetic supplies is often limited.

- Heart Disease:

A major cause of death among homeless adults, especially those over 45 years of age. Risk factors include unhealthy diets, lack of physical activity, and high stress levels due to their living conditions.

- Cancer:

Various forms of cancer are significant contributors to mortality rates among older homeless individuals. Factors such as smoking and inadequate healthcare can impede early detection and treatment.

- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and Asthma:

High prevalence due to prolonged exposure to environmental pollutants and respiratory infections. Many homeless persons work or live in polluted urban areas, increasing these risks.

- Hypertension:

While hypertension rates in homeless populations are comparable to non-homeless, additional health and social challenges can amplify its effects, making management difficult.

- HIV/AIDS:

This persistent health challenge, while declining due to better treatment options, still encounters barriers such as stigma and access to care, affecting treatment adherence.

Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders:

- Individuals experiencing homelessness frequently suffer from high rates of depression, anxiety, and severe mental illnesses.

- Substance abuse issues are significant, with roughly a third having current problems and two-thirds with a history of substance use disorders.

- Overdose risks among homeless individuals are disproportionately higher as they often lack access to supportive services and treatment programs.

Infectious Diseases:

- Tuberculosis (TB): The prevalence of TB is heightened in homeless populations because of crowded living conditions in shelters and limited access to healthcare and nutrition.

- Viral Hepatitis, particularly Hepatitis C, is another health concern, often unnoticed and untreated.

- Respiratory infections, including COVID-19, are common due to poor hygiene conditions and close-quarters living situations.

Homeless individuals encounter numerous barriers to managing these health conditions, including limited access to proper healthcare, lack of refrigeration for medications, hygiene challenges, and the stigma surrounding their situation. These challenges contribute to a cycle of poor health outcomes 1)https://www.citygatenetwork.org/illness-and-homelessness/

3)https://www.healthaffairs.org/doi/10.1377/hlthaff.2023.01049 5)https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK218236/

7)https://www.cdc.gov/homelessness-and-health/about/index.html

9)https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8477616/).