Homelessness and Health
Health issues for people experiencing homelessness or operating shelters
Overview
Homelessness is a big health problem in Alaska, just like in many other places. Recent numbers show that about 2,000 people in Alaska do not have a place to live. People who are homeless face higher chances of getting sick and dying earlier.
This page shares information and resources that are specific to Alaska for those who provide services and care for people experiencing homelessness.
Facts & Data
Several different organizations collect data about homelessness in Alaska:
Health Concerns
General infection control guidelines for shelters
General infection control guidelines for shelters
General infection control guidelines for shelters
Crowded living arrangements in homeless shelters can facilitate the person-to-person spread of certain communicable diseases. Public health recommendations and resources are available to help address this concern:
- Alaska Homeless Shelter Infection Control Recommendations were developed by local communicable disease epidemiologists, infection prevention experts, and shelter staff.
- Additional resources on communicable diseases and homelessness are available from the National Health Care for the Homeless Council.
Hepatitis A recommendations for persons experiencing homelessness
Hepatitis A recommendations for persons experiencing homelessness
Tuberculosis infection prevention recommendations for shelters
Tuberculosis infection prevention recommendations for shelters
Tuberculosis infection prevention recommendations for shelters
Alaska has higher rates of tuberculosis (TB) than other parts of the country, and TB infection rates are often particularly high among PEH. The following guidelines are available to help prevent the spread of TB at homeless shelters:
- Shelter TB Control Guidelines were developed in Alaska for our particular state situation
- The Curry Center has a toolkit directed at homelessness and TB.