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A study published online recently
found that homeless people have dramatically higher rates of TB, HIV, and
hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, which could lead to community epidemics.
“Infections in homeless people can
lead to community infections and are associated with malnutrition, long periods
of homelessness, and high use of medical services,” said Seena Fazel, who led
the study and is a senior research fellow in clinical science at the University
of Oxford.
Estimates place the homeless
population at 650,000 people in the United States, 380,000 in Britain, and 100
million worldwide.
Fazel and his team analyzed more
than 40 research papers on HIV, HCV, and TB among homeless people from 1984 to
2012. Among the US homeless population, TB rates were at least 46 times higher
than in the general population. Rates also were elevated for HCV (more than
four times higher) and HIV (one to 20 times higher). Among Britain’s homeless
residents, TB rates were 34 times those of the general population, and HCV was
almost 50 times higher. HIV rates for the homeless in Britain were not
available.
Similar patterns were found in most
other countries where data were available, including France, India, Sweden,
Ireland, and Brazil.
In addition to the three diseases
that were the study’s focus, the researchers noted that the homeless also have
high rates of hepatitis A and B, diphtheria, foot problems, and skin
infections.
Fazel said his findings suggest that
focusing on the homeless as a group at very high risk for infectious diseases
“could have pronounced effects on public health.”
“Prevalence of Tuberculosis, Hepatitis C Virus
and HIV in Homeless People: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis,” was
published in the Lancet Infectious Diseases (2012;doi:10.1016/S1473-3099(12)70177-9).
The Friends of AIDS Foundation is
dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and
empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV
virus. To learn more about The Friends of AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.
TOGETHER WE REMAIN STRONG!
