Dental health of homeless adults.

As part of a community-based study, we were able to assess the number of grossly decayed and missing teeth, as well as recent use of dental services, among 529 homeless adults. We found that 27% reported having had a toothache during the previous month (only one-tenth of these individuals had sought help from a dentist for their toothache). Homeless adults, as compared with a general population, were half as likely to have made a dental visit within the preceding year (26.

Social and physical health of homeless adults previously treated for mental health problems.

A total of 529 homeless adults in Los Angeles County were surveyed to determine the relationship between their previous use of mental health services and their physical health status, utilization of medical services, personal habits affecting health, experience of injury and victimization, and perceived needs. Homeless adults with a previous psychiatric hospitalization were more likely to have experienced serious physical symptoms during the previous month than those who had used only outpatient mental health services or who had never used mental health services. They reported more reasons for not obtaining needed medical care, were more likely to obtained food from garbage cans, and had the least adequate personal hygiene.

Mental health, alcohol and drug use, and criminal history among homeless adults.

As part of a community-based survey of 529 homeless adults, the authors analyzed factors associated with their use of mental health services. Homeless persons who had had a previous psychiatric hospitalization were the least likely to sleep in an emergency shelter, had been homeless nearly twice as long as the rest of the sample, had the worst mental health status, used alcohol and drugs the most, and were the most involved in criminal activities. The majority had not made an outpatient mental health visit in 5 years.