The prevalence of tuberculosis is at least 34 times greater in the homeless than the general population in the UK.
Rates of HIV, hepatitis C and tuberculosis are many times higher among homeless people than in the general population, a study led by Oxford University researchers has found. 'Infections in homeless people can lead to community infections and are associated with malnutrition, long periods of homelessness and high use of medical services,' says Seena Fazel of the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Oxford, who led the work. 'Improvements in care of homeless people could have pronounced effects on public health. The prevalence of tuberculosis is at least 34 times greater in the homeless population than the general population in the UK. The prevalence of hepatitis C is nearly 50 times greater. In the US, the prevalence of tuberculosis is at least 46 times greater among homeless people than the general population, and the prevalence of hepatitis C viral infection is increased more than four times. HIV infection was typically one to twentyfold higher in US homeless people than the general population.
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