The Health Toll of Encampment Sweeps: A Descriptive Analysis of People Who Use Drugs in Massachusetts

As US homelessness grows, so too does the forced removal of individuals and their belongings from where they are staying, also known as encampment sweeps, which have been associated with increased overdose and reduced healthcare access. We examined associations between past-year experiences of encampment sweeps and suboptimal health behaviors, outcomes, and healthcare access from 155 people who use drugs (PWUD) in Massachusetts. Thirty-eight percent of participants experienced a sweep in the past year, with 73% citing difficulty accessing health or social services following sweeps. Those who had been relocated were more likely to report worse mental health symptoms and feeling unwelcome in medical settings (both p < 0.05). Findings provide additional evidence that encampment sweeps disrupt access to essential services, likely further marginalizing PWUD and people who are homeless. Strategies that support, rather than punish, these populations are needed.