Deaths among homeless people have increased by 76% in the past five years, surpassing the growth of homeless populations. In Los Angeles County, a record number of 918 homeless people have died last year, found on sidewalks, benches, and various public areas. Particularly, the death rates of females and those under the age of 45 have drastically increased. Health officials state that the majority of homeless people are not utilizing shelters and live with physical and mental health issues on the streets. Though experts cannot pinpoint a single culprit, accidents, particularly substance abuse-related, appear to be the top cause of the surge in homeless deaths. For the full article, click here.