22nd Dec 11
UK homeless have life expectancy of 47
by Katie Naylor
Not much of a life: homeless killed early by alcohol, drugs or suicide
Not much of a life: homeless killed early by alcohol, drugs or suicide
Homeless people in the UK have a life expectancy 30 years shorter that the average citizen, with the likelihood of dying at about 47, a life expectancy similar to people in the Congo, revealed an analysis by the charity Crisis.
The study, Homelessness: A Silent Killer, states that homeless people in Britain who suffer the strains and stresses of substance abuse and alcoholism live only slightly longer than people in the poorest nations, with the average life expectancy for men and women being 47 and 43 respectively. This is in comparison with an average of 77 for the general population.
The study, by Sheffield University, worked out that alcohol and drug abuse was accountable for slightly more than one third of deaths of those who are homeless. In addition, they were nine times more likely to commit suicide than others, and two times as likely to die of infections.
The chief executive of Crisis, Leslie Morphy, said that it’s shocking those who are homeless are dying at a younger age than the general population. She acknowledged that life without a home is tough and the stress of being homeless is taking its toll, saying that the bleak picture the report paints shows that being without a home kills people.
The charity warned that the NHS services at present do not meet the requirements of homeless people and, even more worryingly, are at risk due to the government’s restructuring of the NHS. Crisis was concerned that even during a time when the health service was benefitting from increasing budgets, those without a home were not regarded as a priority and that it was apparent that more must be done to combat the health inequalities which persist for those on the street.
Morphy went on to say that the homeless are among the most vulnerable people in society and that despite significant NHS investment they are not receiving the help they require to address their health problems. She added that the government must work harder to improve single homeless peoples’ health and make sure they have access to mainstream and specialist services.
Specialist homeless charity London Pathway’s chief executive Alex Bax said that services can only improve if homeless peoples’ health issues were made a priority. A separate report reveals that nearly 70,000 children will spend Christmas in temporary accommodation.
Government figures, which were highlighted by the homelessness and housing charity Shelter, show that at present there are 69,846 children in England residing in temporary accommodation like refuges, hostels and bed and breakfasts. With waiting lists growing and cuts to the housing benefits, there are concerns that swelling numbers residing in temporary shelter may become a permanent feature.
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