19 people experiencing homelessness in Hamilton died in 6 months, doctors say

A pair of Hamilton doctors have collected and released data tracking deaths in the city's homeless population, revealing at least 19 people died during a six-month period last year.

The average age at time of death was 36, according to the doctors. They called it the "most alarming statistic" they found when compared to the life expectancy of the average Hamiltonian, which Statistics Canada figures from 2014-2016 show is 81.

Dr. Jill Wiwcharuk and Dr. Inna Berditchevskaia gathered the information about deaths between June and November last year based on data compiled by local shelters, support agencies and hospitals.

"Every single one of these people was someone who had stories to share, who had dreams, who often had children," said Wiwcharuk, an inner-city family doctor who works with people who are homeless and use drugs.

"These individuals were loved and they all died so much earlier than they should have."

Both doctors say the city has fallen behind other areas when it comes to compiling these statistics and urged officials to start recording and sharing information about deaths.

"After all, how can we fix a problem we know nothing about?" they ask in a media release.

A spokesperson for the city confirmed it does not have a system to track the number or causes of deaths for people experiencing homelessness.

The housing services division does collect data on the number of people experiencing homelessness, which includes an assessment of their health and social needs in other to "effectively triage" supports for their needs, wrote city spokesperson Aisling Higgins in an email.

Toronto tracking stats since 2017

Wiwcharuk said she and Berditchevskaia started gathering statistics after noticing having a frame of reference helped shape how other cities responded to the needs in their community.

Toronto Public Health, for example, began tracking data about the deaths of the homelessness population in 2017.

Its figures show the number of deaths each week rose from 1.8 in 2018 to 3.6 in 2021.

The numbers for last year only include data gathered between Jan. 1 and June 30, but show 94 deaths had already been recorded at that point, compared to 143 in 2020, 128 in 2019 and 94 in 2018.

An explanation on the Toronto website states the statistics are being collected to "provide evidence on which to base efforts to improve the health of this vulnerable population."

That's what Wiwcharuk and Berditchevskaia said they hope will happen in Hamilton.

They've shared their findings online and a link is also available on the Hamilton Social Medicine Response Team website. The plan is to provide updated data every six months.

Wiwcharuk said 19 deaths is likely an underestimate as it may not account for people who were couch surfing or weren't captured in their collection for some other reason.

They've partnered with the coroner's office, adding once they receive statistics from there, the number of deaths may also go up. 

"Seeing the stark numbers there is just very compelling and devastating and I really do hope eventually the City of Hamilton will take over collection of this important data," said Wiwcharuk.

The doctors have shared three actions officials can take that they believe will save lives.

Overdoses are 'biggest killer'

Their dataset shows eight deaths — nearly half of the 19 reported — were due to an overdose.

Opioid overdoses are the "biggest killer in this population," according to the doctors.

They're calling on the city to address its "deadly, poisoned drug supply" and the ongoing opioid crisis by setting up more supervised consumption sites and expanding safer drug supply programs.

Mental illness and substance use were also "quite common" among those who died, said the doctors.

They pointed to the need for housing and other "wraparound supports" as vital, life-saving tools.

"However, given the dramatic difference in age at time of death between those experiencing homelessness and the general population, it is clear that homelessness itself is a contributor to mortality," the release adds.

The city said it continues to push the provincial and federal government for health care supports for those with complex needs who are living rough.

Higgins said The AIDS Network in Hamilton is moving through the application process to set up another supervised consumption site in Hamilton, which has been endorsed by council and the board of health.

"Greater access to lifesaving consumption and treatment services in our community remains an ongoing need as drugs, in particular opioids, continue to have a devastating impact on individuals and families in our community," she wrote.

Shelters struggling with COVID outbreaks

Their website also states that, in the 30 days before they died, four people had been seen in a hospital emergency department, two had been released from jail and three were service restricted from a shelter — which means a person is barred from a local shelter.

The doctors noted 12 of the 19 deaths happened in the fall, but cautioned that, based on Toronto's data patterns, it's possible a spike in deaths could occur this winter.

Their call comes as Hamilton's already strained shelter system struggles with COVID-19 outbreaks — there were 6 active outbreaks as of Jan. 10, according to city data — and a low of –18 C is forecast for Monday night.