Football for homeless and socially deprived people

Homeless and socially deprived people have elevated morbidity and mortality rates, and the remaining life expectancy of young homeless people is approximately 20 years lower than that of the general population. One of the major contributors to the elevated mortality rate is cardiovascular disease, where the combination of traditional cardiovascular risk factors and risk factors associated with homelessness, including poorly controlled or undiagnosed hypertension and diabetes, smoking, drug abuse and mental illness, play a prominent part. Moreover, homeless people experience a four- to five-fold higher risk of hospitalisation as a result of sudden trauma and bone fractures, which may partly be explained by poorer postural balance and weaker bones. Thus, marginalisation and social exclusion have a huge impact on a wide range of health parameters. This chapter examines how football interventions with a special emphasis on street football can be used to effectively engage with a marginalised and hard-to-reach population with a view to promoting health and creating long-term adherence to a physically active lifestyle.