23 September 2004

A study exploring how houseless people respond to their health needs by trying to access available services will feature in tomorrow’s free presentation from the 2004 Charles Darwin University Anthropology Series.

Recent Darwin resident, Catherine Holmes will present the seminar which is based on research she has undertaken to date as part of her doctoral studies.

“The topic of ‘homelessness’ is exists throughout the world and existing research has tended to focus on prevention and early exit strategies,” Ms Holmes said.

“I am seeking to explore the health support needs of people during their experience of houselessness as they access a service for the homeless in Darwin. “

The study aims to develop insights into how supportive environments for health can be created for such a population through:

• documenting the life stories of service users;

• exploring their health seeking behaviours; and

• generating theory and practical suggestions in a particular context.

“This study will make a valuable contribution to our knowledge about the challenges faced by houseless people in sustaining and enhancing a healthy life. It will also assist in breaking down assumptions about houselessness that exist among the housed members of the community.

“The findings of this study will make a necessary contribution to the development of better public policy for application in houseless communities and provide implications for other local, national and international settings.”

Ms Holmes has worked as an environmental health practitioner for a decade before immersing herself in environmental and public health research in a range of diverse settings and cultural contexts. She is one year into her doctoral studies and moved to Darwin to live with her family and commence her fieldwork.

A map of the Casuarina campus can be accessed at www.cdu.edu/campusmaps