Abstract
In this paper we present a review of health-nutritional aspects of homelessness. Homeless people are a high-risk group.
Their current situation affects their physical and mental health and together with the absence of a preventive medical care it contributes to the neglect of early treatment of diseases and injuries. The abuse of habit-forming drugs increases morbidity and mortality rates of the homeless.
Prevalence of alcohol dependence in homeless populations is generally high; it reaches up to 86 %. Alcohol and illegal drug consumptipon leads to cirhosis, hepatitis, heart disease, mental disorders, sleep disturbances etc.
The prevalence of heavy smokers is extremely high. Many homeless engage in alternative smoking behaviors such as smoking of discarded cigarette butts and used filters that increase their potential for intake of toxins and infectious agents.
The homeless are a potential source of many contagious ilnesses which they spread into the majority population. The most severe ones are hepatitis and tuberculosis.
Also the occurrence of chronical and mental disorders is significant. Studies report that 20 to 44 % of the homeless suffer from malnutrition, on the other hand some other studies show high prevalence of overweight and obesity.
Reports describing the health status of the homeless population are of key importance because they indicate the health risks of the homelessness towards the majority population and also towards the homeless themselves