Demographic differences in health status of homeless adults

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Abstract
Objective:To determine how the physical health of homeless adults varies by the demographic characteristics of age, gender, ethnicity, lifetime length of homelessness, and work status. Participants:A community-based sample of 529 homeless adults. Study design:In multivariate analyses, the authors studied the independent contributions of five demographic groups to variations in 12 physical health measures (based on self-reports from face-to-face interviews, screening physical examinations, and venous blood samples). Measurements and main results:Older persons were more likely to have a functional disability (p. Conclusions:Age and gender contributed most to the understanding of differences in health status among homeless adults. Since the homeless have a wide variety of physical, mental, social, and substance-abuse problems, primary care providers are in the best position to provide the broad-based care needed by such persons.

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