Youth homelessness: risk factors and outcomes
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Youth experiencing homelessness often face serious risks including victimization, substance abuse, poor nutrition, suicidality, and limited access to primary healthcare and other services. This report examined Alberta youth (14 to 17 years old) in 2005/06 to find (1) what social programs and medical codes in 2005/06 to 2006/07 preceded a homelessness diagnostic code in 2007/08 to 2010/11, and (2) what outcomes homeless youth (in 2005/06 to 2008/09) faced during 2009/10 to 2010/11. This report found that homeless youth were more likely to have many poor outcomes before their homelessness and to have many poor outcomes after experiencing youth homelessness. These outcomes were seen across systems (i.e., income support, health care, criminal, and education systems). These findings provide evidence that offering supports to homeless youth from multiple contact points, including health, education, and justice may improve their outcomes.