Sudden Death Rate 16 Times Higher in San Francisco’s Homeless Than Housed Residents: Study

Researchers identified drug overdose and substance abuse disorders as primary causes in many homeless deaths.

A homeless man lies on the street in the Tenderloin District of San Francisco on Feb. 23, 2023. John Fredricks/The Epoch Times

Homeless individuals have an average life expectancy of 50 years and suffer from sudden death at rates significantly higher than the rest of the population, according to a recent study by the University of California–San Francisco.

Researchers identified drug overdose and substance abuse disorders as primary causes in many homeless deaths, with untreated medical issues and infections also playing a role.