The Healthy Homeless Minority

Abstract

In this paper, we address health differences between homeless whites and minorities. 526 homeless adults are analyzedjrom a sample taken from shelters in a large, Midwestern metropolis. Using the SF-36 (Short Form 36) Health Questionnaire and health questions designed uniquely for the homeless, differences are explored descriptively and then analyzed using multiple regression. Whites are homeless longer, are more likely to have mental illness diagnoses, alcohol problems, and have more chronic conditions than minorities. Irrespective ofrace, homeless adults are much lower on all measures of health compared to U. S. adults. However, within the homeless sample, minorities report higher levels ofhealth on every dimension ofthe SF-36 (Short Form 36) health survey. When general health is regressed on demographic and health measures representing initial racial differences, there is no longer a race affect on health. Homeless minorities are healthier than homeless whites due to higher employment rates, shorter periods of homelessness, fewer chronic health conditions, and fewer mental health diagnoses and addictive problems. In conclusion, we argue that differential contact with structural barriers is a potential source ofthis variation. Additional explanations are also considered.

Key Words:

• Health
• SF-36
• Homelessness
• Race Differences
• Minorities