Health and wellbeing for deaf communities in Wales. Scoping for a Wales-wide survey

Over 4000 people in Wales use British Sign language (BSL) as their first or preferred language. Numerous studies have reported inequalities in health among d/Deaf communities, including lower levels of health literacy, difficulties in accessing healthcare, and poorer health than the general population, including mental health. Members of the d/Deaf community are also potentially at greater risk of underdiagnoses and under-treatment of chronic diseases. Few studies have examined the health behaviours and factors that may help or hinder the d/Deaf population’s ability to maintain health in the UK, and none specifically in Wales. In view of the reported inequalities, a better understanding of what helps and hinders d/Deaf individuals’ ability to be healthy is needed. This work will help inform actions towards a healthier, cohesive and more equal Wales, addressing the aspirations of the Wellbeing of Future Generations Act