Homelessness increases health risks in infants

A new study of homeless infants finds they suffer more health risks than infants in a stable home, a trend that continues up to age 6. Looking at nearly 5,800 infants who were born around when their families entered emergency shelters — a sign of homelessness — compared to more than 5,500 infants in a control group, researchers found infants and young children in the homelessness group visited the ER more frequently and their health care costs exceeded the control group by nearly $1,800, on average. Beyond improvement in health care, “the most effective long-term solutions must also address affordable housing and poverty,” the authors write.