An Analysis of Homelessness and Health in Australia

This report provides an overview of the significant health issues associated with homelessness in Australia. It begins by presenting homelessness statistics and highlighting the vulnerable populations affected, including veterans, indigenous groups, and those from lower economic backgrounds. The report then delves into the major health problems, such as nutritional disorders, mental health issues, cardiovascular diseases, substance abuse, and cancers, emphasizing the role of lifestyle factors, age, and environmental conditions. It explores the social determinants of health and the health risks arising from overcrowded and unhygienic environments. Additionally, the report identifies common barriers to healthcare, including economic constraints, lack of health education, and the unavailability of primary healthcare facilities. Finally, the report discusses the role of nurses in addressing these challenges, advocating for policy changes, primary health care grants, and awareness programs to improve the health outcomes of homeless individuals. It concludes by emphasizing the importance of nursing interventions in improving hygiene, lifestyle, and behavioral factors.

Homelessness Affecting Health In
Australians
Presented By-
Fig- Homelessness Statistics In Australia. Source- Australian
Government Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, 2017

Homelessness-
• Homelessness is a very important issue in Australia, affecting health and social matters in Australia
• According to 2016, 116,427 people were homeless in Australia, most of whom were veterans, indigenous group,
and lower economic sections
Issues-
• They have poorer access to health and healthcare delivery system, or cannot bear the cost. (Davies & Wood,
2018).
Introduction
Source- Australian Bureau Of Statistics, 2018
Fig.- Age structure of Australian residents. Source-
Australian Government Australian Institute of Health and
Welfare, 2019

Major Health Issues
Cause-
• Lifestyle factors, age, early life experiences, physical environment, economic and individual factors guide the
health issues.
Effects-
• They are at high risk of nutritional disorders ( due to low income ), along with rising burden of mental health
disorders, cardiovascular diseases, substance abuse disorders and incidence of cancers (Australian Government
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2019).
Fig.- Australian Mortality Report, Australian Government Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2019

Health Risks
Cause-
• There are various social determinants of health that guides the heath related people.
Characteristics-
• The overcrowded environment often poses a threat of various infections that include chronic ear infection, skin
problems (unhygienic environment) , and respiratory ailments (due to polluted condition).
• Congested environment and lifestyle factors increases the health-risks among homeless people. (Davies & Wood,
2018).
Fig.- Health Risks of Australians. Source- Australian Government Australian Institute of Health and
Welfare, 2016

Common Barriers To Health and Health-care
Reasons-
• Primary health care facility is unavailable
• Homeless people are economically poorer section and cannot bear the cost of treatment
• The ailments are often detected at later stage, due to lack of health education
• The homeless people cannot uptake preventive measures before exposure to any diseases
• The physical environment, lifestyle and social factors also form barriers to health (Davies & Wood, 2018).
•
Fig.- Health-related Factors. Australian Government Australian
Institute of Health and Welfare, 2019

Role-
• According to The Nursing and Midwifery Board Of Australia, (2019), a nurse must provide comprehensive care
to patients in need, while critically analyzing the situation.
Action-
• The nurse can contact social services, and urge Government to imply proper policies and raise awareness for
health benefit
• The social services or Governmental bodies can be pestered to formulate primary health care grants
• The higher authority can be made aware about the housing problems and the health risks associated with that
• The nurse can formulate diet plan, and provide guidelines regarding hygiene, lifestyle and behavioral factors to
the people
Role Of Nurse
Fig.- Nurse assessing Homeless people. Homelessness Australia, 2019

Conclusion
• The main problem regarding the health related problems of the people are poor hygiene, low
income, lifestyle and behavioral factors.
• A nurse can intervene here significantly to improve the condition
Source- Australian Government Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2019

References
Autralian Government Department Of Prime Minister And Cabinet.(2017). Aboriginal And Torres Strait Islander Health
Performance Feamework 2017 Report. Access Date- 10th August, 2019. [Online]. Retrieved
from:https://www.pmc.gov.au/sites/default/files/publications/indigenous/hpf-2017/tier2/201.html
Australian Government Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. (2019). Burden of Diseases. Access Date: 10th
August. [Online]. Retrieved from: https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports-data/health-conditions-disability- deaths/
burden-of-disease/overview
Davies, A., & Wood, L. J. (2018). Homeless health care: meeting the challenges of providing primary care. Medical J
ournal of Australia, 209(5), 230-234.
Homelessness Australia. (2019). Homelessness statistics. Access Date: 10th August. [Online]. Retrieved from:
https://www.homelessnessaustralia.org.au/about/homelessness-statistics