The Homeless are a Health Danger to You and Your Children

Homeless shelters and SRO's [Single Resident Occupancy] are among the most likely places where TB can be transmitted in San Francisco, representing a dangerous potential for future TB cases.

The Homeless are a Health Danger to You and Your Children

"TB rates among marginally housed individuals in San Francisco are as high as Sub Saharan Africa and over thirty times the national rate," noted Dr. Masae Kawamura, San Francisco's TB Controller. "Homeless shelters and SRO's [Single Resident Occupancy] are among the most likely places where TB can be transmitted in San Francisco, representing a dangerous potential for future TB cases. This particularly endangers children and susceptible individuals," Dr. Kawamura observed.- Press release SF Department of Public Health - March 21, 2002

San Francisco's homeless problem continues to fuel high TB rates among this population. The rate of TB among this group has remained relatively high with one in every 8 (13%) cases of TB being homeless. A homeless shelter TB outbreak in 2001 highlights the need to continue program focus on this population.

Homeless persons have historically been at greater risk for TB due to their poor living conditions, high rates of HIV and other diseases, high rates of substance abuse, and late detection of TB.

The Department of Public Health reported in 1996 that:

TB cases among the homeless and injecting drug users (IDUs) increased between 1993 and 1995...TB case rates in areas that have the highest density of homeless and transiently housed individuals are 200-300 cases per 100,000 population which are rates comparable to those in Central Africa and 30 times the national case rate... Among the homeless, 67% to 82% are U.S. born, and have an exceptionally high rate of substance abuse...Between 1993 and 1996, of those whose substance histories were known, 73% to 94% abused alcohol, injected substances, or used other illicit drugs (94% in 1996). For the past three years one in four TB cases (25%) in San Francisco were substance abusers were using alcohol or other non-injecting drugs and 4% were reportedly injecting drugs. (SFEPI-1996, 8).

San Franciscos department of Human Services wants to place the homeless in gyms and community centers at night. This is where our children play during the day! Even though our tax dollars pay for these shelters, the City refuses to do criminal or health checks on those taking advantage of these services. This lack of due diligence on the part of the City is putting us all at risk.

As citizens and taxpayers of San Francisco, we have every right to be protected from criminals and communicable diseases. Now is the time to look for leadership that will not allow practices that will put our children and us at risk.
Vote for Roger E. Schulke for San Francisco Mayor.

www.RogerForMayor.com