Associations between Duration of Homelessness and Cardiovascular Risk Factors: A Pilot Study

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Cardiology
• Sociology

Background:

• Cardiovascular disease (CVD) disproportionately impacts the homeless population in the U.S.
• Understanding the link between homelessness duration/frequency and CVD risk is crucial.
• Addressing health disparities in homeless individuals requires targeted interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the correlation between a history of homelessness and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors.
• To examine how duration and frequency of homelessness relate to CVD risk in a specific population.

Main Methods:

• Study conducted in Birmingham, AL, recruiting 61 homeless adults from shelters.
• Data collected via interviews, physical measurements, and capillary blood draws.
• Analysis focused on associations between homelessness history and CVD risk factors.

Main Results:

• Positive association found between duration of homelessness and CVD risk factors: diabetes mellitus, total cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein (LDL).
• No significant association was observed between the frequency of homelessness and any CVD risk factors.
• The study highlights duration as a key factor in CVD risk for this population.

Conclusions:

• Longer duration of homelessness is linked to increased cardiovascular disease risk factors.
• Frequency of homelessness does not appear to be a significant predictor of CVD risk.
• Future research should refine methods for assessing homelessness history and include broader risk factors.