Homelessness and health issues in California
Homelessness is not a new social problem in California. According to statistics, about 138,250 homeless people are living in California. However, the homeless population in California, as in all other cities are experiencing health issues, especially diseases. California’s public health department is reporting an increase of diseases among the homeless population. The homeless population in California is being affected by Hepatitis A, typhus, and tuberculosis.
Housing has a high impact on health since for those who are homeless, and their life expectancy drops by decade to those with homes and shelter. There is a connection between health and housing. Sickness and vulnerability increase the chances of homelessness while being homeless one becomes more vulnerable and sicker.
In California, there is a public health crisis due to the outbreak of Hepatitis A, typhus, and tuberculosis disease among the homeless. Hepatitis A is a virus transmitted when feces of infected persons contaminate the eating and sleeping area of homeless people. At least twenty one people are dead from Hepatitis A and about a thousand infected from 2017 to 2019. Typhus is a bacterial infection from fleas and rats common in areas filled with trash and overcrowded. Typhus cause fever, stomach pain, and chills. Besides, due to the cold environment homeless population lives in, they quickly get persistent coughs, which often turn to be tuberculosis.
Hepatitis A, typhus, and tuberculosis disease spread quickly among people living in congested areas, along sidewalks contaminated with human feces, and homeless. These infections are not a surprise since a homeless individual has weakened the immune system. Also, there is a lack of attention to health care and housing. Besides, there is a shortage of places to wash hands and bathrooms for the homeless. Improving health care access and providing affordable housing to the homeless will reduce the infections of these diseases since they are all preventable.