Deaf Perceptions Project

Description:

The goal of the Deaf Cardiovascular Health Perceptions Study is to contribute knowledge on the perceptions of cardiovascular health among the deaf linguistic minority in areas such as Rochester, NY, Denver, CO and Raleigh, NC. The deaf linguistic minority group is considered medically underserved since it appears to struggle with language barriers. The loss of hearing is considered a cultural identity rather than a disability among this population. This deaf group is highly represented in the smaller deaf community that primarily communicates in American Sign Language (ASL) and shares the values of Deaf Culture.

Due to the language barriers and society's heavy reliance on auditory-oriented method of information dispersal, this group has fewer opportunities to acquire knowledge of cardiovascular health compared to hearing native English speakers. It is unclear as to whether there are further discrepancies in their cardiovascular health perceptions among the deaf minority groups who share other racial and ethnic identities compared to those hearing individuals sharing similar racial and ethnic identities.

Status of project:

Focus groups in North Carolina and Colorado have been completed. We are now nearing completion of the translation and transcription phase. We will be starting shortly on analysis of the data from North Carolina and Colorado. An internal review of a proposed article for the Rochester data will be submitted on October 2nd.

Presentations:

McKee M, Cuculick J, Schlehofer D, Smith S, Starr M, and Chin N. Perceptions of Cardiovascular Health in an Underserved Community: A Qualitative Study of Deaf Adults through CHIRTN. Presented at the APHA 138th Annual Meeting, Denver, CO; 2010 November 7. Abstract

Publications:

McKee M, Schlehofer D, Cuculick J, Starr M, Smith S, Chin N. (2011). Perceptions of cardiovascular health in an underserved community of deaf adults using American Sign Language. Disability and Health Journal; 4(3):192-7. Abstract

Last Updated: 02/14/2012