Average death age is 43 for Hamilton’s homeless population: data

A new mortality data report says the average age at time of death was 43 for those experiencing homelessness in Hamilton.

According to data from Statistics Canada between 2014-2016, the average Hamiltonian’s life expectancy is 81.

The mortality data was collected by two local doctors, Dr. Claire Bodkin and Dr. Inna Berditchevskaia, between Dec. 2021 and May 2022. Dr. Berditchevskaia says the data is collected through community reporting and hospital data through an agreement with Hamilton hospitals.

The doctors learned of 10 people who died prematurely between this time.

Of the homeless population that died, 70 per cent died in a shelter, and 80 per cent died of an overdose.

The research team’s first set of data about the city’s homeless population from June to Nov. 2021 reported the average age at time of death was 36.

The doctors say the data highlights the urgency of problems the homeless population face, including lack of social and health services, drug policies, and housing issues.