Mortality among homeless women who remain unclaimed after death: An insight.
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Date
2016-07
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Abstract
Background. Some homeless people remain unclaimed after
death. Although women constitute a minor proportion among
the homeless, they represent a more vulnerable section. We
reviewed the major autopsy characteristics and causes of death
among women whose bodies remained unclaimed after death.
Methods. We analysed the autopsy records and inquest
papers of unclaimed bodies of women for the period 2006–
12 at the Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology,
All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi.
Results. Most women whose bodies were unclaimed were
21 to 60 years old with a mean age of 45 years. Natural events
(53.5%), largely attributable to acute/chronic lung diseases,
were identified as the most common cause of death. Accidental
deaths were predominant among the unnatural causes. Most
bodies of women were found on the footpath besides the road
(56.1%).
Conclusion. The problems of physical/sexual abuse, acute
chest infections and road traffic accidents are all aggravated in
the situation of homelessness. More affordable shelters are
needed to preferentially accommodate women. Also, awareness
about the existing medical facilities needs to be increased.
Natl Med J India 2016;29:207–8
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Garg Aayushi , Behera Chittaranjan, Chopra Saurav, Bhardwaj DN. Mortality among homeless women who remain unclaimed after death: An insight. National Medical Journal of India. 2016 Jul-Aug; 29(4):207-208.