Associations between migrancy, health and homelessness: a cross-sectional study

There is limited awareness of the link between differing health problems and migrancy of homeless people. The present cross-sectional study sought to quantify the extent of migrancy of homeless people from their place of birth (PLOB) and evaluate whether a history of problematic drug use, alcohol misuse or enduring mental health problems were associated with migrancy from their PLOB. The work was conducted at an inner-city health centre for the homeless in the north of England. Place of birth was created as an entry on the computerised registration records. The PLOB was collected and recorded for each homeless person registering with the service over the study period. Information was also extracted regarding diagnoses of problematic illicit drug use, problematic alcohol use and enduring mental health problems for each homeless person. The study identified statistically significant differences for the migration of homeless people from their PLOB for age, problematic drug use and problematic alcohol use. Problematic alcohol use is independently associated with an increased likelihood of migration from the PLOB. Conversely, a history of illicit drug use is associated with a reduced possibility of migration from the PLOB when accessing primary healthcare services. There was no significant difference for migration from the PLOB for mental health. Not all homeless people migrate from their PLOB and health problems of drug use, mental health or alcohol use are independently associated with different patterns of migration. Understanding the migrancy of homeless people is important when planning and targeting appropriate health and social services to address their varying health, social and psychological needs.