Not having a home can be lethal – homelessness causes premature death, poor health and is a significant burden on our health-care system
Beyond a crisis of housing and poverty, homelessness is a public health emergency. The longer people are homeless, the worse their health becomes. In emergency rooms and frontline clinics, patients are triaged based on urgency. A high-quality health system would connect these efforts to a larger plan to prevent illness and keep people healthy. Unfortunately,…
By providing secure, safe housing, we are also addressing persistent health problems
As family doctors, we see and know the powerful effect proper housing has on the health of our patients. When you feel unwell, whether from a minor cold or a devastating terminal illness, the feeling of home, the desire for a safe and comfortable place to rest and recuperate is universal. But what if your…
The outcome of several legal decisions might just change the way we view homelessness
As humans, we need to sleep. Yet, on both sides of the border, "sleeping" can be considered a criminal act – especially if you are homeless and have no place to rest your head, other than in public spaces such as parks. How have cities and states been able to impose and enforce bylaws and…
Beyond a crisis of housing and poverty, homelessness is a public health emergency. The longer people are homeless, the worse their health becomes. In emergency rooms and frontline clinics, patients are triaged based on urgency. A high-quality health system would connect these efforts to a larger plan to prevent illness and keep people healthy. Unfortunately,…
