M2 · Health Complexity
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.