Student homeless population grows over past decade

By Dennis Archambault

Sometimes it takes an international observer to point out serious issues in America. One aspect of the American homeless problem is alarming: an estimated 1.5 million young people, many of them children, are homeless, according to the BBC https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-51370060. The article site reports of children moving from house to house, living in cars, and living in shelters. This is hardly an environment conducive to studying. But it doesn’t take much to assume this population suffers from food insecurity and related malnutrition. These children probably are not getting regular primary care exams and vaccines. No doubt there are adverse childhood events causing cumulative trauma. It’s a troubling indicator for population health which doesn’t seem to be getting much national attention. The international community is watching, though.

Dennis Archambault is vice president for Public Affairs at Authority Health.