Barnett S, Pollard R; AcademyHealth. Meeting (2005 : Boston, Mass.).
Abstr AcademyHealth Meet. 2005; 22: abstract no. 3354.
University of Rochester, Department of Family Medicine, 1381 South Ave, Rochester, NY 14620 Tel. (585) 506-9484 ext 110 Fax (585) 473-2245
RESEARCH OBJECTIVE: To examine the health-related knowledge and risk factors of deaf adults who communicate with American Sign Language. STUDY DESIGN: We worked with a convenience sample of deaf adults attending a social activity in Rochester NY. ASL-fluent researchers (hearing and deaf) reviewed the research project with potential participants and obtained consent. Each adult completed a single page low English literacy questionnaire; ASL-fluent researchers answered any questions. The questionnaire asked demographic and health information. Participants also completed a modified REALM, which asked them to circle words they recognized and understood. After participants completed the survey we measured blood pressure, height, weight and waist circumference. POPULATION STUDIED: Deaf people who communicate in American Sign Language (ASL) comprise an understudied and medically underserved language minority community. Deaf people who communicate in ASL experience health disparities, including poorer health and less access to health information and healthcare services than those in the general population. The low literacy of many adults deaf since childhood contributes to disparities. Limited access to health information and healthcare services may put deaf adults at risk for health problems related to lifestyle choices such as diet and physical activity. There is little research on health and deaf people who communicate in ASL. Health literacy measures such as the REALM use pronunciation to assess health literacy. It is unlikely that adults deaf since childhood have heard these words pronounced. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Sixty-one deaf adults participated, 30 (49%) were women. Fifty-one knew they became deaf before age 3 years and 47 (77%) reported ASL as their one best language. The median age was 46 (range 21-89; SD=13). Forty-eight (79%) graduated college (associate degree or higher) but 38 (69%) scored in the highest REALM category (high school reading level). Only 39 (64%) rated their health as good. Seven (13%) were current smokers. Twenty-six (43%) thought they were too heavy. Seventeen (28%) were obese with a body mass index (BMI) > 30 and another 26 (43%) were overweight (BMI 25-29.9). Seventeen women (57%) and 11 men (38%) had abdominal obesity by waist circumference. Thirteen participants (21%) thought their blood pressure was too high, 12 (20%) knew they took medicine for blood pressure, while 25 (46%) participants blood pressure was elevated (systolic > 124 or diastolic > 84). The presentation will include other data as well as national general population data for comparison. CONCLUSIONS: We should learn more about health literacy, health knowledge, health and risk behaviors of deaf people who communicate in ASL. This is essential in order to promote health and prevent disease in deaf people and their family members. In order to do this we need to adapt and evaluate existing research tools for use in ASL. IMPLICATIONS FOR POLICY, DELIVERY OR PRACTICE: Many adults deaf since childhood became deaf in utero during the rubella pandemic of the early 1960s and they, like other adults their age, will have increasing age-appropriate preventive services needs. One of the goals of Healthy People 2010 is to improve health and access to health research for people with disabilities.
Publication Types:
Keywords:
- Adult
- Educational Status
- Ethnic Groups
- Female
- Health Behavior
- Hearing Aids
- Hearing Impaired Persons
- Humans
- Language
- Language Development
- Male
- Pilot Projects
- Questionnaires
- Residence Characteristics
- Sign Language
- Teaching
- rehabilitation
- hsrmtgs
UI: 103622817
From Meeting Abstracts