CDC grant expands Rochester’s Deaf health research and outreach nationwide

The National Center for Deaf Health Research plans to expand its Deaf health program with a five-year grant from the Centers for Disease Control. Delivered in ASL, Deaf Weight Wise provides tools for users to “improve health on their own terms,” says director Dr. Steven Barnett. The program helped 62% of its participants achieve a healthy weight, compared to 18% in a control group. The 16-week initiative focuses on exercise, healthy eating, and Deaf peer-to-peer support.

With the CDC’s funding, Rochester plans on increasing its accessibility nationwide. On a national scale, local trained residents or remote counselors will deliver the program. In addition, the department will focus on increasing its sustainability by focusing on how the program can apply to communities with different needs and resources. Ultimately, NCDHR plans to create a guide to put the program in place across the US for long-term success.

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