19 people experiencing homelessness in Hamilton died in just six months, doctors say
CBC
A pair of Hamilton doctors have collected and released data tracking deaths in the city's homeless population, revealing at least 19 people died during a six month period last year.
The average age at time of death was 36, according to the doctors, who called it the "most alarming statistic" they found when compared to the life expectancy of the average Hamiltonian, which Statistics Canada figures from 2014-2016 show is 81.
Dr. Jill Wiwcharuk and Dr. Inna Berditchevskaia gathered the information about deaths between June and November last year based on data compiled by local shelters, support agencies and hospitals.
The doctors say the city has fallen behind other areas when it comes to compiling these statistics and urged officials to start recording and sharing information about deaths.
"After all, how can we fix a problem we know nothing about?" they ask in a media release.
CBC has contacted the City of Hamilton for comment.
Toronto Public Health, for example, began tracking data about the deaths of people experiencing homelessness in 2017.
Its figures show the number of deaths each week rising from 1.8 in 2018 to 3.6 in 2021.
The numbers for last year only include data gathered between Jan. 1 and June 30, but show 94 deaths had already been recorded at that point, compared to 143 in 2020, 128 in 2019 and 94 in 2018.
An explanation on the Toronto website states the statistics are being collected in order to "provide evidence on which to base efforts to improve the health of this vulnerable population."
That's what Wiwcharuk and Berditchevskaia said they hope will happen in Hamilton.
They've shared their findings on a website, which notes the 19 deaths are pending report from the coroner's office and that number may go up.
The doctors have shared three actions officials can take that they believe will save lives.
The local dataset shows eight deaths — nearly half of the 19 reported — were due to an overdose.