The mortality rate for unhoused Americans tripled in 10 years, revealing that living on the streets in California is a death sentence. Overdoses were a leading cause, but the lack of preventive medical care also played a role in deaths related to exposure, traffic injuries, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes. Even though older individuals comprise a larger percentage of the homeless population, the average age of death is only 51. Research suggests that providing stable housing is crucial in reducing mortality rates among the homeless. The current trends have been compared to a natural disaster or war, emphasizing the urgent need for action to combat this crisis.
https://calmatters.org/housing/homelessness/2024/02/homeless-mortality-report/