Homeless Brisbane population at risk of dying early: survey

By Dr. Ananya Mandal, MDJun 14 2010

Dr Ananya Mandal, MD

A recent survey has shown that more than 50 percent of Brisbane’s homeless community is at a higher risk of early deaths. The survey was conducted by interviewing at least 231 people who live on Brisbane's streets, using an index to determine their risk of dying or mortality risk. They also assessed a vulnerability index that studies a person’s risk of dying linked to factors like length of being homeless and other poor health markers like advanced age, damaged mental health, substance abuse, kidney or liver disease, HIV and other chronic disease like diabetes and number of hospital and emergency department visits. The results showed that 51 per cent, were found to be vulnerable or at high risk of death.

Karyn Walsh, coordinator of the 50 Lives 50 Homes campaign said, “This data gives us clear indicators for how we need to organize our response to people who are chronically homeless.” The campaign she explained wants to provide homes to Brisbane's 50 most vulnerable homeless people.

Ms Walsh explained that “With the average length of time of vulnerable respondents being homeless 7.7 years as well as these facts about their health, we urgently need to look at ways to integrate our housing response by adding healthcare…People's lives and dignity depend on it. New partnerships are needed to meet our goals of housing the first 50 most vulnerable homeless people in Brisbane….People who are chronically homeless need housing plus individually tailored healthcare services. Supportive housing is how their homelessness will be ended.”