Traumatic Brain Injury and Homelessness

Clinicians and service providers have occasionally noted that many homeless individuals have a history of traumatic brain injury (TBI), but relatively little research has been done on this subject. This presentation will address the prevalence of TBI in homeless individuals, the temporal relationship between TBI and the onset of homelessness, and the potential role of TBI as a risk factor for homelessness, using data from an ongoing study of a representative sample of 1,200 homeless people in Toronto, Canada.

Stephen Hwang, MD, MPH is a specialist in general internal medicine with training in public health and epidemiology. His primary research interests are homelessness and health, access to health care for homeless persons, and housing as a determinant of population health. Dr. Hwang is a Research Scientist at the Centre for Research on Inner City Health, St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, Associate Professor, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Director, Division of General Internal Medicine, University of Toronto, Associate Professor (cross-appointed), School of Public Health Sciences, University of Toronto, Associate Professor (cross-appointed), Department of Health Policy, Management, and Evaluation, University of Toronto.

PDF of Powerpoint Presentation: Traumatic Brain Injury and Homelessness