Health Care and Homelessness
Description:
Poor health is closely associated with homelessness. For families struggling to pay the rent, a serious illness or disability can start a downward spiral into homelessness, beginning with a lost job, depletion of savings to pay for care, and eventual eviction.
The problem has been increasing, as the number of uninsured Americans continues to rise. In 2004, 15.7% of the population, or 45.8 million people, in the United States were without health insurance coverage, up from 45 million people in 2003. The coverage held by many others would not carry them through a catastrophic illness. Of the millions of uninsured, 78.8% work full or part-time. (NCH)
Type of Resource:
Report
Publication Date:
2006
Location:
Washington, D.C.