Physical Risks Impacting Homeless Young Adults

Malnutrition and Food Insecurity: Homeless individuals often struggle to obtain nutritious food regularly, leading to malnutrition and inadequate intake of essential vitamins and minerals.

Exposure to Harsh Weather Conditions: Without proper shelter, homeless young adults are exposed to extreme temperatures, inclement weather, and environmental hazards, increasing the risk of hypothermia, heatstroke, frostbite, and other weather-related injuries.

Increased Risk of Infectious Diseases: Living in crowded shelters or on the streets with limited sanitation facilities can heighten the risk of infectious diseases, including respiratory infections, skin infections, tuberculosis, and sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

Chronic Health Conditions: Homeless young adults often lack access to ongoing healthcare, resulting in poorly managed chronic conditions such as asthma, diabetes, hypertension, and mental health disorders.

Substance Abuse and Overdose: Homelessness is associated with higher rates of substance abuse, including alcohol, drugs, and opioids. This increases the risk of overdoses, infections from injecting drugs, and other health complications related to substance abuse.

Lack of Preventive Care and Vaccinations: Homeless young adults often have limited access to preventive healthcare services such as vaccinations, screenings, and regular check-ups, leading to missed opportunities for early detection and management of health issues.

Sleep Deprivation and Fatigue: Homeless individuals often face challenges in finding safe and comfortable places to sleep, resulting in inadequate rest and chronic sleep deprivation. This can negatively impact physical health, cognitive functioning, and overall well-being.