The risk of being uninsured in this country is highest amongthose on the lowest rungs of the economic ladder, and it's a sad truththat the majority of homeless Americans lack any type of coverage. Beinghomeless puts a person at high risk for a variety of health problems,but homelessness and health care are intertwined. Poor health can beboth a cause and a result of living on the streets or in shelters, andthe National Health Care for the Homeless Council (NHCHC) notes that 70%of its clients don't have health insurance. The overall health ofhomeless people in the United States is worse than that of the generalpopulation; issues commonly encountered include mental health problems,substance abuse, bronchitis, pneumonia, and wound and skin infections (Authors).