First Advisor

Anne W. Thompson

Date of Award

Summer 8-16-2024

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Biology and University Honors

Department

Biology

Language

English

Subjects

microbiome, homelessness, gastrointestinal tract, gut, health

Abstract

Microorganisms which populate the human gastrointestinal tract (GIT) have a profound effect on overall human health. The relationship between host health and eubiosis, or balance, of the GIT microbiome is symbiotic and can have reciprocal relationships with quality of sleep, quality of diet, stress and mental health, and the experience of pain. These specific aspects of health are unique in populations experiencing homelessness due to the multi-dimensional and complex nature of their lived experience. Very few studies explore populations experiencing homelessness, with even fewer investigating the intersection between this population and the human GIT microbiome. It is important to do research examining how health is impacted by GIT microbial interactions in underserved populations in order to find solutions to societal public health crises. In this thesis, a literature review explores how quality of sleep, quality of diet, stress and mental health, and the experience of pain are related to both the GIT microbiome eubiosis and the experience of homelessness. Furthermore, a qualitative study (n=15) done at Rose Haven, a women, children, and gender-inclusive day shelter in Portland, Oregon, works in parallel to offer powerful perspectives that are underrepresented in this field. Further research is needed to consider potential microbial-tools as therapeutic treatments for health issues faced by this specific population.

Rights

In Copyright. URI: http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/ This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s).

Persistent Identifier

https://archives.pdx.edu/ds/psu/42467

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