February 1, 2026 – A new report from the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) finds that people experiencing homelessness in Illinois face significantly higher rates of emergency department visits, hospitalizations, and premature death compared with the state’s housed population.
The Illinois Homelessness Morbidity and Mortality Report 2017–2023 analyzes statewide data including death certificates, hospital records, and annual point-in-time counts of unhoused individuals. The report shows that individuals experiencing homelessness are far more likely to die from drug overdoses, traumatic injuries, or exposure to extreme cold, despite most deaths being attributed to chronic health conditions.
According to the report, the average age of death for people experiencing homelessness was 55.5 years, nearly 20 years younger than the average age of death for the housed population in Illinois, which was 74.2 years during the same period.
“This report once again demonstrates the toll that homelessness takes on the health of the unhoused,” said IDPH Director Dr. Sameer Vohra. “It also serves as a reminder of how critical information and targeted interventions can make a meaningful and lasting difference.”
Researchers examined data from 2017 through 2023 and estimated that approximately 10,000 people in Illinois experienced “literal homelessness” during that time, meaning they lacked adequate shelter. The report also estimates that more than 200,000 people experienced housing instability, such as temporarily living with family or friends. Officials note those figures are likely undercounts due to limitations in available data systems.
The report found that more than 75,000 people experiencing homelessness accounted for more than 1.8 million hospital visits statewide during the seven-year period, with a median of about 14 hospital visits per person. Death and hospitalization rates were highest in urban counties, though cases were recorded in every region of the state.
People experiencing homelessness were also found to be disproportionately affected by certain causes of death. Compared with the housed population, they were significantly more likely to die from drug overdoses (39.3% versus 4.9%), traumatic injuries (11.3% versus 5.6%), and exposure to extreme cold (3.7% versus 0.1%). Homicide deaths among people experiencing homelessness were nearly three times higher than among the housed population.
Among those who died during the period covered by the report, 313 individuals were identified as veterans, and 30 had worked in public sector roles, including law enforcement, emergency medical services, and corrections.
IDPH officials say the findings will help guide future public health and housing interventions. The report includes recommendations such as improving the identification of homelessness in healthcare settings, enhancing data integration across systems, evaluating the creation of a homelessness mortality review board, assessing statewide access to warming centers, and expanding provider engagement strategies.
