M2
Slide 9
CONTENT
Interaction Between Chronic and Infectious Disease
Chronic illness increases susceptibility to infection. For example:
Diabetes impairs immune response.
Malnutrition weakens immunity.
Substance use increases infection risk.
Conversely, infectious diseases may worsen chronic conditions.
This bidirectional interaction contributes to multimorbidity.
Clinical and System Implications
The key issue is not only disease prevalence but disease management.
Barriers to effective care include:
Irregular follow-up
Fragmented services
Lack of continuity
Administrative obstacles
Stigma
Without integrated care models, patients move between emergency departments, shelters and temporary services without sustained stabilisation.
CORE INSIGHT
Chronic and infectious diseases among homeless populations:
Occur earlier
Progress faster
Are diagnosed later
Are less effectively managed
Housing instability transforms manageable conditions into life-threatening ones.
From an Integrated Health and Social Care perspective, stabilising housing and ensuring coordinated, low-threshold access to care are essential components of disease management.