W H Martens1. 1. W. Kahn Institute of Theoretical Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Elst (Utrecht), The Netherlands. WimmartensW@netscape.net
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To review the physical and mental status in homeless people. DATA SOURCES: A MEDLINE database search covering 5 decades was supplemented by tracing back through references from existing review work. Over 200 articles were extracted, and 106 were selected for review. MAIN FINDINGS: Homeless persons suffer frequently from physical health problems like tuberculosis, asthma, bronchitis, HIV infection, and as a consequence, they run an increased risk for premature mortality. The prevalence of mental disorders among homeless individuals varies from 80-95% in the USA, Australia, Canada, Norway, and Germany to 25-33% in Ireland and Spain. The most prominent mental disorders among the homeless, which vary from country to country, are depression, affective disorders, substance abuse, psychotic disorders, schizophrenia, and personality disorders. CONCLUSION: Homelessness is a major public health problem that should have our special interest.
OBJECTIVE: To review the physical and mental status in homeless people. DATA SOURCES: A MEDLINE database search covering 5 decades was supplemented by tracing back through references from existing review work. Over 200 articles were extracted, and 106 were selected for review. MAIN FINDINGS: Homeless persons suffer frequently from physical health problems like tuberculosis, asthma, bronchitis, HIV infection, and as a consequence, they run an increased risk for premature mortality. The prevalence of mental disorders among homeless individuals varies from 80-95% in the USA, Australia, Canada, Norway, and Germany to 25-33% in Ireland and Spain. The most prominent mental disorders among the homeless, which vary from country to country, are depression, affective disorders, substance abuse, psychotic disorders, schizophrenia, and personality disorders. CONCLUSION: Homelessness is a major public health problem that should have our special interest.
Authors: William D King; Sherry Larkins; Christopher Hucks-Ortiz; Pin-Chieh Wang; Pamina M Gorbach; Rose Veniegas; Steven Shoptaw Journal: AIDS Behav Date: 2007-12-07
Authors: Susan C Saegert; Susan Klitzman; Nicholas Freudenberg; Jana Cooperman-Mroczek; Salwa Nassar Journal: Am J Public Health Date: 2003-09 Impact factor: 9.308