Anecdotal evidence suggests that Deaf and Hard of Hearing (Deaf/HOH) people experience poorer health quality than the average US resident. Objectively measuring the health status of this group poses significant logistical problems. Existing health status surveys that include Deaf/HOH people have serious limitations, limiting research. A methodology developed from an existing dataset would allow researchers to adjust the dataset for variations between Deaf/HOH people in the sample and the actual population. This would allow more reliable conclusions to be drawn from the data and promote research.
This project analyzed the health status of Deaf/HOH people from the Medicare data. The goal is an algorithm that will adjust for differences between Deaf/HOH people in the Medicare data and the population as a whole. This algorithm can be used to adjust the Medicare when studying the health status of the Deaf/HOH population and how it compares to the norm.
Medicare records were obtained from five states on every person ever assigned an ICD9 diagnosis of 389.X (hearing impairment). This group was compared to the sample in the Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey to determine differences from the entire Medicare population. A sample of the group was surveyed for hearing status and perceived quality of health and health care. This group was compared to population norms to determine how the Medicare sample differs from the larger population.
Currently data has been obtained and is being analyzed. In addition to an algorithm, preliminary conclusions regarding health status of the Medicare Deaf/HOH community will be reported.
See www.deafhoh-health.org
Learning Objectives: N/A
Keywords: Deaf, Medicare
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.