Health information needs of d/Deaf adolescent females: a call to action.
Adolescent health and health literacy are critical health topics recognized in Healthy People 2020. Evidence indicates that adolescents who are d/Deaf have unique health-related needs, yet health communication efforts have not reached them. Despite the Internet's exponential growth and the growth of online health information-seeking behavior among adolescents, reliable information devoted specifically to d/Deaf adolescents who communicate primarily in ASL is rare. D/deaf adolescent females face numerous challenges accessing web-based health information to enhance their decision making about important health issues such as body image, physical activity and nutrition, puberty, and relationships. A strong need exists for interdisciplinary professionals to investigate the health interests and online health information-seeking behaviors of this group in order to effectively plan, implement, and evaluate a web-based health repository that delivers content in ASL. This Call to Action represents a first step in addressing that need.
Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Texas Woman's University, Denton, USA.
Chad E
CE
Smith
Marilyn
M
Massey-Stokes
Ann
A
Lieberth
D022126:Access to Information; D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D016497:Adolescent Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration; D000367:Age Factors; D054626:Consumer Health Information / Q000458:organization & administration; D003638:Deafness / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D057220:Health Literacy / Q000458:organization & administration; D034381:Hearing Loss / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D057226:Information Seeking Behavior; D020407:Internet; D009937:Organizational Objectives; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D019986:Persons with Hearing Disabilities / Q000523:psychology*; D012737:Sex Factors; D014481:United States; D014932:Women's Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration