The unhoused burn patient: an unmet need for prevention, treatment, and recovery

• Homelessness increases the risk of burn injury. • Unhoused individuals experience high rates of morbidity from burn injuries. • Unhoused individuals with burn injuries lack access to acute and long-term care. • Burn prevention strategies are needed for the unhoused. Burn injuries among unhoused individuals are a growing public health concern, with unique challenges related to the environments in which unhoused people live and the limited access they have to preventive resources and healthcare. Experiencing homelessness is associated with higher rates of morbidity and mortality from burns due to environmental exposure, inadequate living conditions, and delayed medical intervention. This review will discuss the epidemiology, mechanisms of burn injury, outcomes after burn injury, the role of mental health, preventive strategies, and the social and economic issues that heighten the risk of burns in unhoused populations. The review will also delve into areas of advocacy and research to reduce the risk of burn injury and address areas of treatment and recovery for unhoused patients.