ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The Deaf community reports limited access to health promotion information and care. Literature review, key informant interviews, and focus groups generated a clearer understanding of the community. Health care providers, educators, and policymakers could improve medical care to the Deaf community by: 1) better understanding its culture and language; 2) creating more health education programs specifically for the Deaf community; 3) developing opportunities for more deaf people and American Sign Language (ASL) users to enter the health professions; and 4) creating incentives for hearing health care providers to become ASL proficient.
Subject(s)
Communication , Education of Hearing Disabled , Health Education/standards , Health Services Accessibility , Information Services/supply & distribution , Adult , Aged , Female , Focus Groups , Health Education/methods , Humans , Interviews as Topic , Male , Sign LanguageABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The Deaf community has not been adequately served by mainstream public health interventions. METHODS: A breast cancer education program adapted for the needs of the Deaf community was evaluated by 123 deaf and hard-of-hearing women using pre- and post-surveys and focus groups. RESULTS: Among the findings were the difficulty of recruiting Deaf community members to education and research programs; low adherence to breast cancer screening guidelines; insufficient breast-health knowledge; endorsement of the program; and suggestions for strengthening it. CONCLUSION: Deaf women will benefit from breast cancer education programs that specifically address their language, culture, and preferred learning styles.
