2 min. of medical care for the homeless in Cologne

Homeless people not only lack a stable place to sleep, but they also face severe medical disadvantages. While most of us can easily visit our family doctor, this is hardly possible for many of them. They often lack health insurance, trust in the healthcare system, or positive experiences with it. As a result, they frequently don't seek help. At the same time, they live in conditions that severely impact their health: cold, dampness, irregular meals, and a lack of peace and privacy.
The consequences are serious: Homeless people are significantly more likely to suffer from chronic illnesses such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, or respiratory diseases (Oette 2022). Mental health problems such as depression, anxiety disorders, or addictions also occur much more frequently (ibid.). Even minor wounds can become dangerous if left untreated because regular medical care is lacking. Furthermore, a healthy and regular diet is rarely possible.
Furthermore, those living on the streets rarely have timely access to a clinic or doctor's office. Many illnesses are therefore treated too late. The result is alarming: the life expectancy of homeless people in Germany is under 50 years (ibid.) – around 30 years less than the average for the population (Federal Statistical Office 2024). For a wealthy country like Germany, this is a worrying situation (Oette 2022). It is therefore all the more important to create easily accessible medical services: places where homeless people are welcome, do not have to overcome bureaucratic hurdles, and can receive uncomplicated treatment. The Cologne-based association CAYA eV offers such a place. CAYA stands for Come As You Are – Come as you are!

Because health is a fundamental right and should be available to everyone regardless of their situation.