Homelessness kills
But health services can do better
New research for Crisis has shown that homeless people die 30 years before the national average, at just 47 - a shocking statistic that has not improved in the last two decades.
For too long homeless people have been failed by the health system – frequently left unable to register with a GP or access the specialist services they need.
We are demanding NHS reforms that take homeless people's health needs seriously.
Scott's story
Scott, aged 20, told us:
"I was on the streets for four months, and I was sleeping rough, I wasn't eating, I wasn't drinking, I was dying, physically and mentally dying, I was shaking and scared.
"I have got a lot of health problems, I've got a heart murmur, two stomach ulcers, asthma, hay fever and suffer blackouts which is a sign of epilepsy.
"It does worry me, [being] without a doctor. It worries me because being homeless is one of the worst things in this world ... people end up dying of suicide or drugs or alcohol because they don't feel they have a life anymore."