A Survey of Physical and Mental Health Among People Experiencing Homelessness in Denver, Colorado, 2023

Homelessness increased by 31% from 2022 to 2023 in Denver, Colorado. We surveyed people experiencing homelessness in Denver to evaluate their health conditions and service needs and to identify factors associated with new or worsening health conditions after housing loss.

From October 28 through November 15, 2023, we surveyed 356 people experiencing homelessness in Denver. We fit multivariable logistic regression models using backward-fitting procedures to identify factors associated with reporting new or worsening health conditions after housing loss.

The mean (SD) age of participants was 46.0 (13.7) years, 227 (63.7%) reported physical health conditions, and 207 (58.1%) reported mental health conditions that were new or worsening after experiencing homelessness. Chronic pain (n = 61; 17.1%) and depression (n = 123; 34.6%) were the most reported conditions. Eye care (n = 131; 36.8%), dental care (n = 95; 26.7%), and pain management (n = 54; 15.2%) were among the top service needs. Self-rated health declined by 22% after housing loss, from 3.4 (good or very good) before experiencing homelessness to 2.7 (fair or good) at the time of the survey, with a larger decline among those experiencing unsheltered homelessness than among those who were sheltered (0.95 vs 0.57; P = .006). As compared with men, women had higher odds of reporting new or worsening health conditions, whether physical (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.93; 95% CI, 1.14-3.29) or mental (AOR = 2.14; 95% CI, 1.23-3.81). Experiencing violence was associated with reporting new or worsening mental health conditions (AOR = 2.01; 95% CI, 1.20-3.37) after housing loss.

Targeted interventions are needed to address the unique needs of unhoused women and those experiencing unsheltered homelessness in Denver.