Health and Mental Health Problems of Homeless Men and Women in Baltimore

Abstract

A study of homeless people in Baltimore, Md, focused on their health and other characteristics, with special emphasis on their needs for services. In the first stage, 298 men and 230 women were randomly selected from the missions, shelters, and jail in Baltimore to respond to a baseline interview that provided extensive sociodemographic and health-related data. In the second stage, a subsample of 203 subjects was randomly selected from the baseline survey respondents to have systematic psychiatric and physical examinations. Data are presented from both stages. Data from the first stage demonstrate, among other things, the high levels of disaffiliation of this population and their heavy involvement in substance abuse. Data from the clinical examinations demonstrate the high prevalence of mental illnesses and other psychiatric disorders and of a wide range of physical disorders and confirm the high prevalence of alcohol abuse disorders. The high rates of comorbidity of these conditions is demonstrated and data are provided on the subjects' needs for mental health and substance abuse services.

Interventions for Weight Gain in Adults Treated With Novel Antipsychotics

“…Diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and sleep apnea are a few examples of complications that are exaggerated by obesity in people with schizophrenia. 9 In addition, the overall mortality rate in this population has been reported to be almost double that of the general population. 10 Weight gain associated with antipsychotics may also be detrimental to treatment compliance and needs to be addressed with individual pa- 11 Given the potential for such adverse effects of weight gain and the superior efficacy of atypical antipsychotics in the treatment of patients with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorders, the control of obesity in this group of patients is clinically important.…”

Psychosocial predictors of current drug use, drug problems, and physical drug dependence in homeless women

“…Reports of the prevalence of depressive disorders (e.g., major affective disorder, major depressive episode, major unipolar depression) among homeless women range from 18% to 37% (Breakey et al, 1989;Koegel et al, 1988;North et al, 1997;Smith et al, 1993). In addition, Nyamathi et al (1997) found that 84% of homeless and drug-addicted women reported emotional disturbance (e.g., depression, lack of emotional well-being).…”

“…In addition, Nyamathi et al (1997) found that 84% of homeless and drug-addicted women reported emotional disturbance (e.g., depression, lack of emotional well-being). Despite the consistency in the high prevalence rates of depression, few empirical investigations have focused on the comorbidity of substance abuse and depression among homeless women (e.g., Breakey et al, 1989;Nyamathi et al, 1997;Smith et al, 1993).…”

Homelessness and CKD

“…Homeless persons are among the most vulnerable groups in society and suffer from high rates of physical illness, mental health disorders, and substance abuse (2,3). Several cohort studies conducted over the past decade indicate that increased morbidity among the homeless predictably leads to worse survival and excess healthcare costs (4,5).…”