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MONDAY, MAY 13- MAY 19, 2024
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VOL. 15,
NO. 171
Los Angeles County sees homeless mortality rate plateau in 2022
‘Biddy Mason’ brings true story of extraordinary Los Angeles citizen to life
By City News Service
By Staff
T
he homeless mortality rate in Los Angeles County plateaued in 2022, an increase of 2% compared with 2021, according to a new report released Thursday. On Thursday, the county’s Department of Public Health released its findings from its fifth annual report on mortality among people experiencing homelessness. The overall mortality rate increased by 2% from 3,215 per 100,000 people to 3,282 per 100,00 people. According to DPH officials, this is a “welcoming plateauing” of the mortality rate among homeless individuals, which previously saw an increase of 56% from 2019 to 2021. “There are staggering inequities in health outcomes between those who are housed and those who are homeless,” Barbara Ferrer, director of DPH, said during an online media briefing. “People experiencing home-
| Image courtesy of the Los Angeles County Public Health Department District Attorney’s Office
DPH officials noted that the recent plateau can be attributed largely to a leveling off of the rate of drug overdose deaths — the leading cause of death among people experienc-
| Image courtesy of the Los Angeles County Public Health Department District Attorney’s Office
lessness are 40 times more likely to die of an overdose, 18 times more likely to be a homicide victim and four times more likely to die of coronary heart disease than people in L.A. County’s population as a whole.”
ing homelessness for the past six years, and a sharp decline in COVID-19 related deaths. From 2021 to 2022, the distribution of naloxone, an opioid overdose reversal medication, also helped
reduce overdose deaths. The report found that the leading causes of death for homeless individuals were cause by overdose, coronary heart disease, transportation-related injuries, homicide, suicide and COVID-19. Drug and alcohol overdose continues to be the leading cause of death among unhoused individuals in 2022, accounting for 37% of all deaths. It was the leading cause of death of men, women, white, Latinos/ Hispanic and Black homeless populations. While overdose related deaths leveled off, the percentage of overdose deaths involving fentanyl continued to rise through 2022. “Efforts to increase access to naloxone and overdose prevention services have undoubtedly helped to bend this curve and provide a blueprint for reducing drugrelated fatalities in this very high-risk population,” Gary Tsai, director of the Bureau
of Substance Abuse Prevention and Control for the county, said in a statement. “Given that the opposite of addiction is not sobriety, but rather meaningful connection, continuing to engage and build trusting relationships with our unhoused residents will be equally essential.” Coronary heart disease was the second leading cause of death, accounting for 13% of deaths, in particular for those over the age of 70. Coronary heart disease deaths has increased from 336 per 100,000 people in 2014 to 445 per 100,000 in 2020, followed by a decrease in 2021 and increased slightly in 2022 to 395 per 100,000 people. In 2022, 8% of deaths were from transportationrelated injuries; homicide was found to the fourth leading cause of death with a rate of 214 per 100,00 people; suicide rates among homeless individuals has remained relatively the same over the
See Homeless mortality rate Page 28
Julian Tushabe and Mary Hill in “Biddy Mason.” | Photo by Paul Kennedy
T
he Fountain Theatre’s “Fountain for Youth” arts education wing has joined forces with Inner-City Arts, The Autry Museum of the American West and CounterBalance Theater to present “Biddy Mason,” a theatrical blend of video projection, music, song, movement and dramatic storytelling that brings the inspiring true story of an extraordinary Los Angeles citizen to life. Based on a short story by Dana Johnson and adapted and directed by Annie Loui, “Biddy Mason” dramatizes the remarkable, little-known story of Bridget “Biddy” Mason who, born enslaved, went on to become one of the first prominent citizens and landowners in Los Angeles. After marching 1,700 miles on foot alongside her owner’s wagon train from Mississippi to California, Mason petitioned for and won her freedom in court. Saving the money she earned as a midwife and nurse, she transformed herself into a successful businesswoman and philanthropist who built schools, fed the poor, and helped launch the First AME Church. “Biddy Mason’s life unfolds from enslavement to entrepreneurship, inspiring audiences young and old,” says Loui. “Her tale must be told — particularly to inner-city young people, who feel empowered watching an exceptional woman of color rise from hopelessness and poverty to become a leading citizen of Los Angeles. This production will be the first live, professional performance of a theatrical work for many inner-city students. They will remember this experience all their lives.” Ten student performances will take place May 20 through May 24 followed by two public performances for adults on May 31 and June 1 each at 8 p.m. Tickets to public performances are $20. The Rosenthal Theatre at Inner-City Arts is located at 720 Kohler St., Los Angeles, CA 90021. Parking is free in the lot across the street from the theater, and there is ample street parking. For more information and to purchase tickets, call (213) 627-9621 or go to inner-cityarts. org/biddymason.