Principal Investigator
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Kaitlyn Moran
2015 Early Stage Urban Research Award Recipient
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Debbie Perez
2015 Early Stage Urban Research Award Recipient
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Rebecca Walmer
2015 Early Stage Urban Research Award Recipient
Co-Principal Investigator
Kaitlyn Moran, Debbie Perez, and Rebecca Walmer under the direction of Assistant Professor Jessica Leibler seek to investigate the potential barriers to shower access among homeless individuals in Boston. This student team will evaluate the health impacts of poor or irregular personal hygiene among the Boston homeless, the quality and accessibility of sanitation facilities available to them, and the sanitation needs and preferences of the homeless population–particularly as they relate to shower facilities.
Moran, Perez and Warmer aim to conduct a mixed-methods research analysis to better understand current sanitation needs and critical barriers to personal hygiene among Boston’s homeless population. This analysis will consist of qualitative interviews with homeless and formerly homeless individuals to identify significant barriers to sanitation access. In addition, they will conduct a retrospective review of medical records from homeless patients at Boston Medical Center to analyze the disease burden and health-related costs that may be associated with inadequate access to showering facilities. Results from this study will serve to inform subsequent city planning efforts, with the ultimate goal of developing an alternative approach to increase access to bathing facilities for homeless individuals in the Boston area.
Moran, Perez and Warmer will work collaboratively with representatives from Boston Healthcare for the Homeless, Boston Medical Center and SpareChange News for the duration of the project.
Media Coverage
Restoring Dignity to the Homeless, Boston University School of Public Health
Hope on Wheels: Students Start New Mobile Shower Project, SpareChange News
Sanitation as a Basic Human Right, Boston University School of Public Health