A review of physical and mental health in homeless persons.
OBJECTIVE
To review the physical and mental status in homeless people.


METHODS
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.


RESULTS
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.


CONCLUSIONS
Homelessness is a major public health problem that should have our special interest.
Martens
W H
WH
W. Kahn Institute of Theoretical Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Elst (Utrecht), The Netherlands. WimmartensW@netscape.net
D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000453:epidemiology; D003431:Cross-Cultural Comparison; D019049:Developed Countries / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006703:Ill-Housed Persons / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D015995:Prevalence; D011314:Preventive Health Services; D012307:Risk Factors; D012940:Social Problems