Journal of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology

Over 100 million people around the world have no shelter whatsoever. The health consequences of this level of homelessness are profound. There are78 million homeless people in India alone. Our study is aimed to find out the magnitude of natural deaths in homeless population very centre of capital city (Delhi) of India. The total population of Delhi is 16753235 according to 2011 census and Central Delhi constituted 578,671 population. Population density wise central Delhi stands 2^nd (23147 person per square kilometer) after North- East district of NCT of Delhi (2011 census).

A 5 year retrospective study based on autopsy between the period of 2006 and 2010 in the Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Lady Hardinge Medical College, New Delhi. During this study we found vulnerability of natural deaths in homeless population in central district of capital city New Delhi. Total 2773 autopsies were conducted during this 5 year period in morgue of this college. Out of 2773 deaths, 749 deaths (27%) were in homeless people due to natural and unnatural cause. Total 536 (19.32%) deaths in homeless out of 2773 cases, were due to natural diseases with male predominance constituted 499 cases (93.09%) and remaining 37 cases (6.90%) were females. In natural cause of death, pulmonary infections contributed 509 cases (94.96%); pulmonary pneumonitis 387 cases (72.20%), tuberculosis 122 cases (22.76%), coronary artery diseases in 9 cases (1.67%) and other natural diseases 18 cases (3.35%). Maximum 256 cases (47.76%) were reported in the year 2010 and largest number of natural deaths in homeless was reported in month of September 87 cases (16.3%) and minimum 7 cases (1.30%) in month of March.