A systematic review of the effect of stigma on the health of people experiencing homelessness. (28th June 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Reilly, Johanna; Ho, Iris; Williamson, Andrea
• Is Part Of: Health & social care in the community. Volume 30:Number 6(2022)
• Page Start: 2128
• Page End: 2141
• Publication Date: 2022-06-28
• Subjects: discrimination -- homelessness -- mental health -- physical health -- roofless -- rough sleeping -- Stigma; Public welfare -- Periodicals; Community health services -- Periodicals; Human services -- Periodicals; 362.1
• DOI: 10.1111/hsc.13884
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0966-0410

Abstract

Abstract: Experiencing homelessness is associated with poor health, high levels of chronic disease and high premature mortality. Experiencing homelessness is known to be socially stigmatised and stigma has been suggested as a cause of health inequalities. No previous review has synthesised the evidence about stigma related to homelessness and the impact on the health of people experiencing homelessness. The present mixed‐methods review systematically searched four databases and retrieved 21 original articles with relevant data around stigma, homelessness and health. Across all studies, there was broad agreement that some people experiencing homelessness experience significant stigma from providers when accessing health care and this impacts on general health and service access. There is also evidence that perceived stigma related to homelessness correlates with poorer mental and physical health.