Document Type
Presentation
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Publication Date
6-28-2024
Abstract
Housing insecurity is a public health issue that impacts the health and wellbeing of individuals. Not only do people who are unhoused face physical and mental distress, they are also dehumanized and stigmatized. Art can serve as a powerful method of understanding public perceptions of housing insecurity, and evoking empathy for the issue and those experiencing it. Research shows that role of art and empathy in public health is to amplify the voices of marginalized communities and change people’s perceptions of the world and those in it. Data from the Unhoused: Personal Stories and Public Health exhibit at the Mütter Museum in Philadelphia were studied to help better understand public thoughts about housing insecurity, and the efficacy of art, and value of the exhibit, in fostering empathy for people who are unhoused, and creating conversations for change. The exhibit provided visitors with a space to reflect on their perceptions and beliefs regarding housing insecurity and people who are unhoused. Findings reflected that shelter was an important way to help people who are unhoused, that “home” is most associated with loved ones, and that nearly half of visitors experienced housing insecurity at some point in their life. The number of reflections and their positive nature revealed not only that visitor felt comfortable sharing their opinions and stories, but that the exhibit was successful in evoking a sense of empathy amongst visitors. Findings support the claim that art and the exhibit itself, were effective in fostering empathy about housing insecurity and creating conversations for change.
Lay Summary
Housing insecurity has negative effects on mental and physical health. People who are unhoused often face shame for their situation, and this can leave them feeling alone and degraded. Art can be used to help understand how public feels about housing insecurity and people who are unhoused. Art can also be used as a way to bring about feelings of empathy for housing insecurity and people who are unhoused. Research shows that the role of art in empathy for housing insecurity is to strengthen the voices of underserved populations, and to change the way people view the world and those in it. The Unhoused: Personal Stories and Public Health is an art exhibit at the Mütter Museum in Philadelphia, PA. It features signs of people who are unhoused, photos of people who are unhoused, a reflection wall for visitors to leave reflections, and other information about housing insecurity. The exhibit gives visitors the opportunity to think about their opinions and feelings about housing insecurity. The goal of the exhibit is to understand public opinions about housing insecurity and the role of art in bringing about empathy for people who are unhoused. Reflections revealed interesting findings about what “home” means to visitors, what visitors believe to be best way to help people who are unhoused, and if visitors had personal experience with housing insecurity. Visitors had experiences with housing insecurity, associate home with their families, and believe the best way to help is by providing housing. Many of the reflections were positive which showed that visitors were feeling empathy. Lastly, the number of reflections left behind showed that visitors were willing to talk about housing insecurity and share their stories. Overall, results reveal that the exhibit was successful at bringing about feelings of empathy for people who are unhoused. More research can be done to understand the role of art in bringing about empathy for other public health issues too.
Recommended Citation
Jones, Flynn, "Will it Stick? An Analysis of Community Reflections from the Unhoused: Personal Stories and Public Health Exhibit" (2024). Master of Public Health Capstone Presentations. Presentation 551.
https://jdc.jefferson.edu/mphcapstone_presentation/551
Language
English
Comments
Presentation: 5:54
Poster attached as supplemental file below