This article reviews the Canadian literature on health issues for homeless/street youth couched in terms of the broad determinants of health. A description of the target population is presented, followed by a discussion of the health risks associated with living in marginal and precarious situations `on the street'. In particular, the potential consequences of engaging in the risky and often dangerous activities (e.g. substance abuse and high-risk sex) associated with the street lifestyle are discussed. Key conclusions drawn from the relevant literature are taken into consideration in a final section that includes a discussion of the policy implications of this work.
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2.
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27.
Panter-Brick, C. (2002). Street children, human rights, and public health: A critique and future directions. Annual Review of Anthropology , 31, 147—171.
28.
Phelan, J.C., & Link, B.G. (1999). Who are `the homeless'? Reconsidering the stability and composition of the homeless population. American Journal of Public Health, 89, 1334—1338.
29.
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33.
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34.
Social Planning Council of Winnipeg. (1991 ). Needs assessment on homeless children and youth. Winnipeg: Social Planning Council.
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Webber, M. (1991). Street kids: The tragedy of Canada's runaways . Toronto: University of Toronto Press.
36.
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