During the 2016 presidential election, candidates in the Democratic primary routinely discussed the merits of universal healthcare versus the current system of private health insurance.
But for the nation’s more than 650,000 homeless people, having a residence would automatically improve their healthcare situation by sheltering them from the elements. It also provides them with an address where they can receive aid and safely recover from illness or injury.
Certainly, the homeless do receive emergency care, but that is inadequate for their long-term needs. It can be difficult to treat a chronic illness on the street, and once a stay at a hospital is over, many are forced to finish their recovery in less-than-ideal conditions.
But, beyond the more obvious ways in which having housing helps improve health outcomes, there are a number of reasons why housing can also be considered healthcare.
Residential Security and Stress
According to the Mayo Clinic, chronic stress can put your overall health at risk. Stress can cause the body to release cortisol and other stress hormones that can cause anxiety, depression, digestive issues, heart problems and sleep issues.
Now imagine the stress of not knowing where you were going to sleep or having to worry about the temperature on extremely cold or hot nights.
Studies have also shown that homeless children are more vulnerable to mental health problems, chronic diseases, developmental delays and malnutrition than children who are stably housed. And these problems become more dramatic as children age.
Not only are children more likely to develop asthma or anxiety, they are also more likely to suffer from severe aggression and depression.
Housing and Chronic Illness
Researchers have also found that having a stable home helps people with chronic illnesses. Homeless patients may have difficulty storing medication that needs to be refrigerated or kept at a certain temperature, such as insulin. They may also not have sterile areas to store syringes and other health-related care equipment.
And, when faced with having to worry about where they will be able to sleep, they often fail to keep follow-up appointments or seek consistent medical treatment.
These factors contribute to the fact that people who are homeless die on average 12 years sooner than the general United States population.
Healthcare and Employment
While homelessness can exacerbate illness, illness can also be the cause of homelessness. For most Americans, their health insurance is secured through their employer. But, if they become chronically ill and have to miss work, they can be fired or laid off.
It’s not surprising that many people become homeless after losing a job that paid their rent or mortgage. This begins a vicious cycle: without funds to pay for healthcare, a patient becomes more ill and can no longer work. This means that they can no longer afford housing, which means they have a more difficult time recovering so that they may be able to work again.
So, for homeless advocates, the necessity of providing housing is also a mission to provide health and well-being to homeless individuals and families. Housing is necessary for a healthier society, and communities that invest in affordable housing incur lower public costs.
Simply put, housing is healthcare and should be considered when tackling the challenge of homelessness.