IDPH; Illinois homeless face higher hospitalization rates, die younger than housed population

FOX23 News at 9 p.m.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill., (KBSI) — People experiencing homelessness in Illinois face significantly higher rates of hospitalization and premature death than the general population, according to a new report from the Illinois Department of Public Health.

The Illinois Homelessness Morbidity and Mortality Report examine data from 2017 through 2023, including death certificates, hospital records and annual point-in-time counts of unhoused individuals conducted each January. The report found that people experiencing homelessness were far more likely to visit emergency departments, be hospitalized and die at younger ages than those who are housed.

The study estimates that about 10,000 people in Illinois experienced “literal homelessness” during that period, meaning they lacked any form of shelter, while more than 200,000 others lived in unstable housing situations, such as temporarily staying with family or friends. Officials said those figures are likely undercounts due to limitations in identifying and tracking unhoused individuals.

“This report once again demonstrates the toll that homelessness takes on the health of the unhoused,” said IDPH Director Dr. Sameer Vohra. He said the findings will be used to guide strategies aimed at improving housing stability and health outcomes in partnership with state agencies and community organizations.

Among the report’s findings:

The average age of death for people experiencing homelessness was nearly 20 years younger than for the housed population, 55.5 years compared with 74.2 years.

More than 75,000 people experiencing homelessness accounted for more than 1.8 million hospital visits during the study period, with a median of about 14 visits per person.

Of those who died, 313 were identified as veterans, and 30 had worked in public-sector jobs such as law enforcement, emergency medical services and corrections.

Most deaths and hospital visits occurred in urban counties, though every region of the state recorded cases.

People experiencing homelessness were far more likely to die from drug overdoses, traumatic injuries, exposure to extreme cold and homicide than the housed population.

Hospital patients and decedents experiencing homelessness were most often middle-aged, male and identified as non-Hispanic White or non-Hispanic Black.

The report recommends improving how homelessness is identified and documented in health care settings, integrating broader data sources, evaluating the creation of a mortality review board, assessing access to warming centers statewide and developing stronger engagement with health care providers.

IDPH said it supports people experiencing homelessness through programs such as Ryan White and Housing Opportunities for Persons With AIDS, which provide rental assistance and supportive services. The department has also expanded access to naloxone in shelters and similar settings to prevent opioid overdose deaths.

The report concludes that early access to health care, mental health services and housing programs is linked to lower rates of illness and death among people experiencing homelessness.

The study was conducted jointly by IDPH, the University of Illinois Chicago School of Public Health and the Office to Prevent and End Homelessness.