Review of the Health of the Deaf

Review of the Health of the Deaf


The health of the Deaf  community is an under-researched topic. I compiled the studies I could find on the issue into a review. I hope that this site and my blog can help spotlight the health concerns and some solutions for this disadvantaged population.










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Greek Deaf Report Lower Quality of Life

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There is a strong relationship between health and quality of life. Because health disparities have been demonstrated for Deaf communities around the world, it can be expected that they would have a lower quality of life (QOL). However, like many health-related issues concerning the Deaf, there is a lack of research on this issue. Tsimpida et al. measured QOL for a convenience sample of Greek Deaf (n=86), hard-of-hearing (n=54), and hearing (n=97) community members. QOL was measured with the Short Form Health Survey (SF-36v2). One of the researchers was a respected member of the Greek Deaf community, which helped foster trust and participation. The questionnaire was translated into Greek Sign Language as needed by the participants. The results showed that the Deaf scored lower on all dimensions of the QOL questionnaire (Physical Functioning, Role-Physical, Bodily Pain, General Health, Vitality, Social Functioning, Role-Emotional, and Mental Health). Determinants for this included the ...
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Having a Deaf Parent Predictive of Comprehending Family Conversations as a Child

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It is often taken for granted that children will be able to comprehend family conversations. However, over 90% of Deaf children are born to hearing parents, and there is often poor communication between them. Being able to understand family conversations is important for children's development in general and their health literacy as adults in particular. Hall et al. looked for correlations to Deaf adults being able to recall comprehending indirect family communications (not directed at them) while growing up. Having at least one Deaf parent was a very strong predictor of being able to comprehend these conversations, much more so than using hearing aids or cochlear implants. The authors conclude that parents of Deaf children can have an impact in reducing health disparities in the Deaf population. Hall, W.C., Smith, S.R., Sutter, E.J., DeWindt, L.A. & Dye, T.D.V. (2018). Considering parental hearing status as a social determinant of Deaf population health: Insights from...
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Study of the Mental Well-Being of the English Deaf

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England has an estimated Deaf population of 80,000-100,000 who primarily communicate using British Sign Language (BSL). As in most other countries, the English Deaf have been shown to experience barriers in accessing healthcare services with resulting inequalities in health outcomes. Rogers et al. report their findings during the course of validating a BSL version of the Short Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-Being Scale (SWEMWBS). They found that their Deaf participants tended to report a lower mental well-being than the English population as a whole, although this difference was just short of being significant. Participants who reported mental health difficulties (such as depression or anxiety) had significantly lower mental well-being scores. Gender and considering themselves culturally Deaf was not correlated with the participant's mental well-being. Those who were under age 66 and not employed also reported significantly lower mental well-being, which is an important issue du...
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