News Report | June 10, 2021
Homeless Consumers With Chronic Mental Illness Have 32% Higher Health Costs Than Those In Supportive Housing
In Maricopa County, Arizona, individuals with chronic mental illness (CMI) who experienced chronic homelessness have a 32% higher average health care cost per-person per-year (PPPY) ($54,978), compared to those in permanent supportive housing ($37,402). The average annual costs of individuals who are housed with unknown support services fall in the middle ($50,330). Health costs consisted of three major categories: pharmacy, physical health, and behavioral health. CMI refers to individuals with severe mental illness (SMI) who experience severe, long-term symptoms.
As defined by the National Institute of Mental Health, SMI is a mental, behavioral, or . . .