The Relationship Between Health and Homelessness in Scotland

Abstract

BackgroundHomeless people are among the most vulnerable and socially excluded in society, exhibiting higher premature mortality and multiple morbidity. This study links health and homelessness data for the first time at a national level in Scotland. ObjectivesThis study adds to the evidence base on the relationship between homelessness and health needs, including how homeless people exhibit multiple or complex needs. MethodThis study matches those who have experienced homelessness in Scotland since 2002 (n=430,000) with two people of the same age and sex – at random, one control is chosen from the 20% least deprived areas in Scotland and another from the 20% most deprived. This gives 1.3 million people in total. Each cohort is linked to a wide range of health datasets. More detail on the methodology is presented in a separate talk (Challenges of Analysing Case-Control Datasets: A Health andHomelessness Case Study) at this conference. FindingsAt the 2018 ADRN Health and Wellbeing session, we wish to present on our findings that we are publishing shortly before the conference. Large and complex differences were found between the cohorts in health service use and outcomes, particularly for the homeless. Analysis is presented on the different health datasets used, including acute and mental-health admissions, A&E attendances, outpatient appointments, prescriptions and drugs misuse assessments. We also discuss findings for activity related to particular issues including drugs and alcohol. Furthermore, notable differences were also found between once only and repeat homeless individuals. ConclusionsThe range of linked health data used in this study has enabled invaluable evidence to be collected on the scale, severity and complexity of the health needs of homeless populations in Scotland.