Population health and quality of life outcomes among deaf and hard of hearing people
(PI Poorna Kushalnagar; NIH award: 7R01DC014463-02)
(PI Poorna Kushalnagar; NIH award: 7R01DC014463-02)
- Current patient-reported outcome measures are heavily dependent on English, which present serious language barriers to deaf and hard of hearing (DHH) patients who use American Sign Language (ASL). Our team developed a PROMIS-Deaf profile in American Sign Language and English. This includes items that are valid for DHH users of accessible technology and services. Data gathered using this measure will provide important insights on improving prevention and treatment models that will lead to better personal and public health within the underserved DHH population. Results from this study will provide a better understanding of the mechanisms that may or may not contribute to DHH people's quality of life.
Deaf sign language users' experiences in seeking health information
(PI Poorna Kushalnagar; NIH award: 7R15DC014816-02)
(PI Poorna Kushalnagar; NIH award: 7R15DC014816-02)
- Our team translated many items from the National Cancer Institute's Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS) to ASL. Data from HINTS-ASL survey will provide important insights on understanding the trends in Deaf people's use of the Internet for health-related purposes and improving health communication models.
Food security and health
- Food security means being able to get enough food that will help maintain a deaf person's healthy lifestyle. When a person has food insecurity, this problem can make their health and quality of life worse. There are no documented studies on food-related issues in deaf people. To fill this gap, we translated six-item U.S. Household Food Security Survey Module to ASL. Data collection is ongoing.
- Undergraduate student research assistant, Brianna Keogh, is doing a food security and peer support study with college students at Gallaudet University. This project is being done as part of her Honors Capstone requirement. Data collection is ongoing.
ASL Cancer Education Program
(PI Georgia Sadler; funded by the National Cancer Institute)
(PI Georgia Sadler; funded by the National Cancer Institute)
- In collaboration with UCSD's former ASL cancer education program and Deaf Inc. of St. Louis, Missouri, we are creating a page to make cancer health information accessible in ASL.
