In a shocking discovery by a new Georgia State University study shows more than half of the participants in the study experienced homelessness within six months of the study.

The study found that 53.7 percent of those study participants reported homelessness out of about 3,000 individuals.

GSU School of Public Health Assistant Professor April Ballard said the statistic was surprising. She said those in rural areas may be hit harder and have fewer resources than those who are homeless in urban areas.

The study finds that those with unstable housing were more likely to report being hospitalized and were one and a half more times more likely to overdose than those with stable housing.

She says homelessness is easier to spot in urban areas.