NCI's Health Information National Trends Survey is heavily dependent on English, which present serious language barriers to Deaf patients who use American Sign Language (ASL). The availability of HINTS in ASL and English and such that is valid for users of accessible technology and services 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 that will lead to better personal and public health within the underserved deaf population. The research plan builds on Dr. Kushalnagar's prior research on health communication and quality of life outcomes with Deaf population. The proposed research plan involves a development component (translation) and a research component (health information).
Specific aims i nclude (1) translating and implementing HINTS survey in ASL and (2) describing the trends in Deaf sub-groups' use of the Internet for cancer health information. The study will be conducted by a research team that includes: an early career investigator with expertise in health communication and quality of life outcomes in DHH population, a senior investigator with expertise in cancer control and Deaf community outreach, a biostatistician, and a team of Deaf/HH undergraduate student researchers. Results from this study will provide a better understanding of the trends in using the Internet for health-related purposes, which may vary across Deaf sub-groups. The goals of this application are consistent with the NIDCD 2012-2016 strategies related to improving outcomes for human communication and reducing health disparities, and expected findings will support improvement and refinement of health websites that utilize ASL cancer health videos for Deaf consumers, with goals of maximizing effectiveness of dissemination for health-related purposes.

Public Health Relevance

HINTS-ASL is a health information national trends survey that is accessible in American Sign Language. Such survey that is validated with Deaf ASL users will allow future research to include Deaf population without barrier. Inclusion of this grou will broaden impact and generalize research findings.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD)
Type
Academic Research Enhancement Awards (AREA) (R15)
Project #
7R15DC014816-02
Application #
9286130
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-HDM-X (81))
Program Officer
Donahue, Amy
Project Start
2015-08-01
Project End
2018-07-31
Budget Start
2016-08-10
Budget End
2018-07-31
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2015
Total Cost
$274,065
Indirect Cost
$72,791
Name
Gallaudet University
Department
Psychology
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
003259439
City
Washington
State
DC
Country
United States
Zip Code
20002
Ryan, Claire; Kushalnagar, Poorna (2018) Towards Health Equity: Deaf Adults' Engagement in Social e-Health Activities and e-Communication with Health Care Providers. J Health Commun 23:836-841
Kushalnagar, Poorna; Moreland, Christopher J; Simons, Abbi et al. (2018) Communication barrier in family linked to increased risks for food insecurity among deaf people who use American Sign Language. Public Health Nutr 21:912-916
Simons, Abbi N; Moreland, Christopher J; Kushalnagar, Poorna (2018) Prevalence of Self-Reported Hypertension in Deaf Adults Who Use American Sign Language. Am J Hypertens 31:1215-1220
Biskupiak, Andrew; Smith, Scott; Kushalnagar, Poorna (2018) Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis Knowledge and Perceived Effectiveness to Prevent HIV Among Deaf Gay, Bisexual, and Queer Men. LGBT Health :
Kushalnagar, Poorna; Smith, Scott; Hopper, Melinda et al. (2018) Making Cancer Health Text on the Internet Easier to Read for Deaf People Who Use American Sign Language. J Cancer Educ 33:134-140
Kushalnagar, Poorna; Hill, Colin; Carrizales, Shane et al. (2018) Prostate-Specimen Antigen (PSA) Screening and Shared Decision Making Among Deaf and Hearing Male Patients. J Cancer Educ :
Kushalnagar, P; Engelman, Alina; Sadler, G (2018) Deaf patient-provider communication and lung cancer screening: Health Information National Trends survey in American Sign Language (HINTS-ASL). Patient Educ Couns 101:1232-1239
Kushalnagar, Poorna; Ryan, Claire; Smith, Scott et al. (2018) Critical health literacy in American deaf college students. Health Promot Int 33:827-833
Kushalnagar, Poorna; Harris, Raychelle; Paludneviciene, Raylene et al. (2017) Health Information National Trends Survey in American Sign Language (HINTS-ASL): Protocol for the Cultural Adaptation and Linguistic Validation of a National Survey. JMIR Res Protoc 6:e172
Kushalnagar, Poorna; Naturale, Joan; Paludneviciene, Raylene et al. (2015) Health websites: accessibility and usability for American sign language users. Health Commun 30:830-7