Homeless Deaths In Los Angeles County Reach Record High In 2019
The number of deaths amongst people experiencing homelessness in Los Angeles County increased to a record 1,267 in 2019 with drug overdoses the leading cause with the greatest increase, according to a recent report.
This is the second annual report from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (LADPH) on mortality among people experiencing homelessness (PEH) in LA County and includes new data for 2019 and part of 2020.
The report found that there were 153 additional deaths among PEH in 2019 compared to the year prior.
While the report found the overall mortality rate increased only slightly due to an even greater increase in the total number of PEH, drug overdose mortality rate increased substantially during the same period.