After working with Virginia Beach's homeless population more than 12 years, Carl O. Helvie, professor of nursing, has a unique perspective on the issues and solutions for homelessness. Using this knowledge, Helvie recently published "Homelessness in the United States, Europe, and Russia: A Comparative Perspective" with Wilfried Kunstmann, head of the Department of Community Medicine and General Practice at the Medical Faculty of the University of Witten/Hedecke in Germany.

Drawing upon the expertise of professionals in the U.S., Germany, Czech Republic, Denmark, England, Russia and Spain, the book examines the prevalence, causes, trends, demographics and health concerns of homelessness and evaluates potential solutions. It also reports on the resources made available to the homeless by the public and private sectors, and compares social welfare systems in each of the countries studied.

"Many books have been written about the homeless," said Helvie, who wrote the chapter about the homeless situation in the U.S, "but only a small number of books compares homelessness across cultures."

In the comparison of the data, several trends emerged regarding homelessness issues. Of the seven countries examined, at least half reported a general increase in the numbers of homeless. The data also showed an increased number of women among the homeless. In the U.S., for example, women make up 22 percent of the homeless population. This trend also was noted in England, Germany and Denmark.

In addition, the study found that the average age of the homeless population is younger and more families are homeless than in the past.

The book is a natural extension of Helvie's work over the past decade. A former board member of Samaritan House, Helvie taught a class on homelessness issues at Old Dominion, during which he and students offered screenings at local shelters. The experience made him realize there was a need for more care.

Through his vision and efforts, Old Dominion's Nursing Center opened at the Judeo-Christian Outreach Shelter in 1997 to offer primary prevention care, screenings, ongoing care and referral services to the homeless. The center also offers an opportunity for students to complete internships in public health.

In addition to running the clinic, Helvie serves as secretary of the American Public Health Association's homeless caucus and received the organization's Ruth B. Freeman Award for a Distinguished Career in Public Health last fall.