Rising Mortality Rate Among Homeless in California

California is facing a crisis as the mortality rate for unhoused Americans has more than tripled in the last decade, making it significantly more deadly to be homeless. A recent study revealed that the death rate among homeless individuals soared between 2011 and 2020, highlighting the urgency of addressing the homelessness crisis. The study, conducted by the University of Pennsylvania, found that the mortality rate for homeless individuals increased by 238%, a trend described as ‘astonishing’ by co-author Matthew Fowle. The rise in deaths was attributed to overdoses, as well as increased rates of preventable causes such as heat and cold exposure, traffic injuries, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes.