A £1m 3-year research grant from the UKRI will see an interdisciplinary team led by Dr Christopher Shank of Bangor University working with Deaf British Sign Language-using Communities in Wales in order to tackle health inequalities.
For the past 5 years, linguist, Dr Christopher Shank has been working with an interdisciplinary team, jointly led by members of the Deaf community, to research and identify factors that impact the Welsh Deaf BSL using community’s health, wellbeing and access to health information, services and resources.
Through the new project, the only one funded by the 3rd and largest and final phase of this funding round in Wales, those involved, including members of the Deaf community, will again be instrumental in co-constructing, co-designing, implementing and evaluating solutions to known health inequities and inequalities facing Deaf people using British Sign Language (BSL) in Wales.
As Dr Shank explains,
“Imagine facing a health issue only to face added barriers when healthcare appointments, supporting information or wellness-based activities are not available in your language.
Unfortunately, real issues faced by the Deaf community include inconsistent interpreting services, poor communications in healthcare which can lead to underdiagnosis and -treatment and an inability to access cultural and natural assets due to materials not being available in BSL. It’s also a fact that Deaf people are at greater risk of underdiagnoses and under-treatment of chronic diseases, tend to have poorer health, and are twice as likely to experience mental health problems as the general population.
The work being funded aims to improve healthcare services at every stage through work with Deaf people, the NHS, health boards and other service providers. In addition to healthcare services, we’ll also be developing a range of tools, such as video guide apps for better access to heritage sites and an online dictionary and resources to help interpreters and service providers. It is hoped that these will go some way to alleviating general health and mental health problems.”
Martin Griffiths a project co-investigator and Wales Manager with the British Deaf Association Wales said,
“Health remains a key pillar of ‘Taking BSL Forward’ – British Deaf Association’s (BDA) 10-year strategy - because our Deaf Community constantly remind us of health inequalities, they continue to face in 2024. If this isn’t addressed Deaf people will continue to risk premature death or unnecessary prolonged illness or pain. This is why we support this research and are excited to be part of this AHRC project.”
Dr. Sara Rhys-Jones, Clinical Psychologist, Swansea who is a co-investigator on the project said:
“In comparison to hearing population, Deaf people are significantly more likely to have health problems and at least twice more likely to experience mental health problems. The main reasons are because of inaccessible health-related information and healthcare professionals are often unable to communicate directly with Deaf people. The Deaf community needs to be involved in developing solutions and this project provides this opportunity”
Ceri Harris BEM – Head of Equality and Human Rights, Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, and project co-investigator, said,
“For a long time, we have not had the data we needed to recognise and respond to the health needs of the Deaf and BSL using community. This is an area of research that has not been resourced appropriately. So I am thrilled to be part of this project, where we will be able as a health service to recognise and build more inclusive services and identify needs. The outcomes from this project are potentially huge for the Deaf and BSL using communities in Wales and indeed wider.”
Paul Redfern, Chair, The All-Wales Deaf Mental Health Group and project co-investigator said,
“Mental health is not a static process. Much depends on how services react to people’s requests for help. The All-Wales Deaf Mental Health Group was formed because mental health services in Wales have traditionally not really recognized British Sign Language (BSL) using client’s language and communication needs and thus they have not really been not supportive of Deaf people’s requests for help, and treatment and care. Good services, within Wales, would enable Deaf people to get the help they need and allow them to continue to be well at home and within their own communities. Sadly, this is not happening in which is why this project is so important.”
The research award from the Arts & Humanities Research Council (AHRC) is one of a programme of grants which aim to tackle entrenched and long-standing health inequalities in Britain’s poorest communities by exploring how health systems can collaborate more effectively with communities.
James Sanderson, Director of Community Health and Personalised Care at NHS England said:
“We know that joining up care leads to better outcomes for people. When local partners – the NHS, councils, the voluntary sector and others work together, they can create better services based on local need and what matters to people. Harnessing community assets, finding the opportunities for connection, activity and purpose can support people to achieve good health and wellbeing outcomes.”
Partners in the project include hearing and British Sign language (BSL) using colleagues from Bangor and Swansea Universities, the University of the West of England, the University of Graz in Austria, the British Deaf Association, Public Health Wales Cardiff, Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, Centre of Sign Sight Sound in Colwyn Bay, Wales Council for Deaf People, as well as experts in the law, Deaf mental health and Deaf health and well-being.
The programme is also run in partnership with the National Centre for Creative Health.
Further information:
- Dr Christopher Shank: deafhealth@bangor.ac.uk press@bangor.ac.uk
- Deaf Health and Wellbeing Wales
