World Federation of the Deaf (WFD) Health Resources Initiative

Steps forward to health care for Deaf people worldwide

Introduction

Deaf decision makers have raised awareness about huge health challenges within Deaf populations in various countries.

Taking health challenges serious WFD Past-President Markku Jokinen formed a health project team at the WFD central office and furthermore a health project was launched. This WFD Health Resources Initiative is planned to include different parts such as a survey on health issues amongst Deaf leaders of the WFD member states. A second step should be a survey among Deaf communities. In addition a pool of good practice should be established on the WFD website which would allow interested members to get in contact with practitioners in the field and to stimulate and support each other in the development of materials for health education and for implementing relevant projects with respect to healthcare of Deaf people.

As an experienced medical ground- worker Prof. Dr. Johannes Fellinger (WFD Mental Health Expert for the period 2009-2011) supervised the first phase of the WFD Health Resources Initiative that could be launched in May 2010. The project was coordinated by Dr. Alexa Kuenburg and funded by the Hospital of St. John of God in Linz.

WFD Health Resources Initiative global survey

As first step of the WFD Health Resources Initiative an international needs assessment survey among Deaf leaders was performed. A questionnaire was sent to WFD member states that could receive email. The survey results depict the opinion of Deaf decision makers with respect to Deaf health issues. It is the first time Deaf leaders were asked for their opinion concerning Deaf health. The findings show that there is desperate need to fight for Deaf people´ s rights to enjoy equal standards of healthcare as it is claimed by the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and Deaf people (§25). Overall this global survey outlines guiding principles for health research and practice.

MAIN RESULTS OF THE SURVEY

Participation	44 countries responded (as there are uncertainties of how many countries could really receive the invitations, we assume this to be half of the eligible sample size).
Health problems	The majority of all country respondents (65%) reported that Deaf people have more problems with their health than people with average hearing. According to the Human Development Index (HDI), approximately half of the country respondents from middle and high HDI countries, 75% of very high HDI countries and 85% of low HDI countries reported that Deaf people have more health problems compared to the average hearing. The most common Deaf health problems reported were mental disorders and depression. Many Deaf leaders noticed that various mental health problems or emotional disorders are found in Deaf populations. Somatisation disorders, chronic and infectious diseases were reported several times. Lacking data about Deaf health was frequently highlighted
Access to health care	32 out of 39 country respondents (82%) reported that Deaf people in their countries face more difficulty when trying to access health care compared to people with average hearing, including 13 very high HDI countries. 69% of those 32 country respondents who reported that Deaf people in their countries have more difficulty to access health care than people with average hearing also said that Deaf people have more health problems than those with average hearing.
Sign language support	17 out of 39 country respondents report that there is any sign language support available in medical settings. 75% of the high and very high HDI country respondents report that there is some kind of sign language supply available in medical settings, only 20% of the countries with low and medium human developmental index reported, that sign language interpreters could be available when Deaf people need medical health.
Specific actions	80% of the respondents outlined their future perspectives and proposed specific actions to improve the health situation of Deaf people Empower Deaf people to get access to health information, to enrol in studies of health and mental health care and other health related jobs, to enrol at Universities, to participate in health education/lectures (in Deaf clubs, communities), … Share expertise with people in different institutions and organizations, with professionals in other countries ( e.g. in the field of mental health issues) Lobby in general, e.g. to protect Deaf interests and advocate for equal rights and on governmental, public and private levels, to ensure informed consent Raise awareness by promoting information about health issues of the Deaf population (how to communicate with Deaf patients, about Deaf people´s needs and rights and by encouraging health professionals (in their medical curricula, in hospitals) to provide better access for Deaf people Spread information about the Deaf health issues by promoting health knowledge within the Deaf population (information material on health issues for the deaf, lectures, education). Overcome challenges of financial resources by fundraising, getting governmental support or the support of NGOs. Implement better Sign language supply by training health professionals, social workers,… in (basic) sign language, by supporting the training of sign language interpreters and their dialogue to health institutions. Support health services, e,g, in specific outpatient-clinics, by improving mental health services for the Deaf, by establishing an emergency contact system, by starting groups for specific health issues (Deaf men,…)
Contact	18 countries provided contact details for further Deaf health related collaboration

IMPLICATIONS AND FUTURE DIRECTIONS

62% of the countries participating in the survey had ratified the UN-Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. By ratification, the legal basis for Deaf Associations is laid to advocate for official measures to realize paragraph 25 and by this to work towards the realization of opportunities that Deaf people might enjoy the highest attainable standard of health without discrimination on the basis of disability by providing the same range, quality and accessibility of health care as for every other person and furthermore special services for special needs people with disabilities might have.

Joining forces of Deaf associations with governmental authorities and particularly with NGOs could achieve this. By sharing knowledge and skills about efficient projects and services this process can be significantly stimulated. The WFD Health Resources Initiative with its section “pool of good practice“ could be used for projects in that direction. Further more national and transnational research projects on the health of Deaf people and on the efficiency of services will be necessary to guarantee quality of services and give evidence for perpetuation and continuous development of legal and practical measures that allow, Deaf people to realize their full human rights.

30 November 2011

Johannes Fellinger, M.D. Alexa Kuenburg, M.D.
Hospital St. John of God
Austria, A-4021 Linz, Seilerstätte 2

For further details please contact: Johannes.fellinger@bblinz.at