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HSRProj (Health Services Research Projects in Progress)

Information about ongoing health services research and public health projects


Improving access to health and mental health for Chicago's deaf community
(Archived Project)
Investigator (PI): Perlman, Toby; Hedding, Teri
Performing Organization (PO): (Current): Advocate Health Care / (800) 238-6283
Supporting Agency (SA): Michael Reese Health Trust
Initial Year: 2004
Final Year: 2006
Award Type: Grant
Abstract: The target population for this project includes people who have been deaf since birth or prelingually (before age 3) and rely on American Sign Language (ASL) as their primary mode of communication. The intervention is based on information gained from a health survey done in American Sign Language with 206 deaf individuals living in the Metropolitan Chicago area and follow-up focus groups (Phase I of the project 7/1/2002 - 12/31/2003). This project is a three year demonstration to evaluate the effectiveness of health education interventions related to the prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and the self-management of depression. Interventions include 8 weeks of classes 2 hours per week with 8-12 participants per group and a 3 month follow-up. Each class includes: 1) 60 minute participatory health knowledge presentation of new material (often using a project-developed video-tape done by deaf actors using ASL); 2) 20 minute break for socialization; 3) 40 minute skill-building activity; and 3) deaf-friendly take home materials. Objectives for participants in either the CVD or depression class are that each will: 1) learn about the disease and its risk factors; 2) develop and implement personal goals towards self management of depression or prevention of CVD; 3) learn to identify, manage and appropriately respond to the symptoms and warning signs of the disease; and 4) improve their ability to provide information to providers and to navigate health care systems. The project is being evaluated for effectiveness in meeting the aforementioned objectives, and considerable effort has been devoted to developing appropriate tools that can be administered in ASL. Project staff plans to recruit 300 deaf participants, 200 for the CVD groups and 100 for the depression groups.
MeSH Terms:
  • Cardiovascular Diseases /therapy
  • Chicago
  • Community Health Services
  • Deafness /*psychology
  • Depression /therapy
  • Health Education
  • * Health Services Accessibility
  • Humans
  • Mental Health Services
Keywords:
  • research support, non-U.S. Gov't
Country: United States
State: Illinois
Zip Code: 60657
UI: 20061038
Project Status: Archived