Homeless face chronic health problems

THE shocking range of complex and chronic health problems among Ireland’s homeless community has been revealed for the first time.

The snapshot health survey of homeless people in Cork and Dublin gives the clearest picture yet of the challenges facing those helping them, and underlines the critical importance of specialist and round-the-clock healthcare for the homeless, the Simon Community said.

The survey, which was conducted among 537Simon service users in the last week of July, found they have high rates of mental health conditions, physical health conditions, alcohol and drug abuse, self-harm and attempted suicide.