Sir, – Suzanne Connolly, chief executive of Barnardos highlights the significant increase in child homelessness in Ireland (Letters, April 29th), with a 49 per cent increase in the last two years. As GPs working in disadvantaged communities across Ireland, we see the immediate health impacts on these children and their families.
We are also acutely aware of the devastating consequences for these children, who will experience significantly more mental and physical health problems throughout their lives.
As well as serious mental health problems, there is clear evidence that poverty and adversity in childhood is linked with epigenetic, neuro-endocrine and pro-inflammatory changes that lead to higher incidence of illnesses such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes and certain cancers with the associated costs to society, health services and, most importantly, the individuals affected.
Child homelessness is the tip of the iceberg that is child poverty. UK estimates suggest an annual cost of £16 billion relating to problems that could have been prevented with early childhood intervention.
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Children are particularly vulnerable to stressors and need healthy environments to support their brain growth and development.
We fully support Barnardos’ call for immediate stronger preventative and protective measures for children experiencing and at risk of homelessness but the ultimate health protection measure is political leadership on ending the Housing Crisis and effectively addressing Child Poverty.
Prof SUSAN SMITH, Inchicore, Dublin 8
Dr EDEL McGINNITY, Mulhuddart, Dublin 15
Dr TADG LEHANE, Dublin 8
Dr ANNA MARIE NAUGHTON, Cork City
Dr NIAMH IRVING, Rialto, Dublin 8
Dr DAVID GIBNEY, GP, Ballymun, Dublin 9
Dr CATHERINE MULLEN, GP, Mulhuddart, Dublin 15
Dr EOIN MONAGHAN, GP, Cork City
Dr BRID SHANAHAN, GP, Summerhill, Dublin 1
Dr PATRICK O’DONNELL, GP, Limerick City
Dr MARY FAVIER, GP, Cork City
Dr FIONA MONAHAN, GP, Cork City
Dr BRIDGET KIELY, GP, Summerhill, Dublin 1
Dr NIAMH O’BRIEN, GP, Galway City
Dr MUIREANN O’SHEA, Tallaght, Dublin 24
Dr ANNA BEUG, Rialto, Dublin 8
On behalf of Deep End Ireland
