PHYSICAL HEALTH, MENTAL-HEALTH, AND SUBSTANCE-ABUSE PROBLEMS OF SHELTER USERS

This article summarizes physical health, mental health, and substance abuse problems of users of four of Detroit's largest homeless shelters . Shelter users with mental illness or substance abuse problems were c ompared with those without these problems. Alcohol abusers were signif icantly more likely to have low blood pressure, symptoms of liver dise ase, and a tuberculosis treatment history. No health differences were found for those with or without a history of psychiatric hospitalizati on, Contrary to expectations, few gender differences were found. Aside from the obvious need for low-income housing, comprehensive and integ rated treatment approaches from health care, mental health, and substa nce abuse agencies are needed to help homeless individuals. Social wor kers need to become more directly involved in service and policy issue s for this vulnerable population.