Morbidity/Mortality Prevention Initiative

The Morbidity/Mortality Prevention Initiative (MMPI) focuses on homeless persons languishing on the streets 1) with life-threatening illnesses; 2) with terminal illnesses; and 3) while aging with life-threatening and terminal illnesses.

Life-threatening Illnesses

Life-threatening illnesses are chronic and often incurable and have the effect of limiting a person’s ability to carry out daily physical needs and reducing a person’s life expectancy. Such illnesses include diabetes, neurological conditions including Parkinson’s disease and dementia, and heart disease.

Terminal Illnesses

Terminal illnesses or progressive end-stage diseases are incurable and expected to result in premature death. Cancer, advanced heart disease, leukemia, HIV/AIDS, and chronic lung conditions are some of these progressive diseases.

Aging on the Streets

A preponderance of research on aging on the streets has revealed that Adults age 55 and older who are homeless have mortality rates four times higher than the general population. Also, cognitive and mobility impairments are likely to increase for seniors while languishing on the streets.