SBCBS receives results from homeless deaths survey
SANTA MARIA, Calif.- Supervisors have released the seventh report from the Homeless Death Review Team . The report found that 41 people homeless died in the county in 2018. A slight drop from 44 who died in 2016 and 2017. In 2015, 40 homeless were recorded as dying, while in 2014, 32 deaths were recorded.
Of the 41 who died, 76% were men, and 66% were white. 24% were Hispanic and Latino. The average age was 58. The average age for the men was 57 and 61 for the women.
73% of the deaths Ø™ occurred on the South Coast. 20% in North County and the report found 7% on the Central Coast.
The report also found 63% died of natural causes. 22% suffered from accidents. The remaining 15% succumbed to homicide, suicide or undetermined causes.
Substance abuse was found to be the leading cause of death along with cardiovascular disease.
