Access to primary care affects the health of Deaf people

Deaf BSL (British Sign Language) users have poorer health, which has been attributed to problems accessing health care and communicating with healthcare professionals. However, the true extent of unmet health and communication needs of Deaf people is not known. We have recently completed a study of BSL-using Deaf adults in the UK, the first of its kind, assessing these issues. As no register exists of Deaf people, a quota sample was designed to match the age, sex, and ethnic distribution of the population at the 2011 census. A total of 298 Deaf people aged 20-82-years-old, 47% male, with 11% from ethnic minorities were recruited. Participants underwent a structured health assessment using BSL at seven Bupa centres across England, Wales, and Scotland. The results showed, compared to the hearing population, a greater prevalence of obesity and higher levels of hypertension, high levels of self-reported depression, but low levels of reported smoking and alcohol consumption. Of particular concern were the underdiagnosis of raised blood pressure and the under-treatment of hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidaemia, and cardiovascular disease. 8 references