Abstract DP207: Breaking Barriers: Stroke Recognition and Prevention in the Deaf Community

Background: Stroke is the fifth leading cause of death and the leading cause of long-term disability in the U.S. However, Deaf and hard-of-hearing (DHH) individuals face disproportionately low levels of stroke-related health literacy and encounter significant barriers to timely, effective care. Rochester, NY, has the highest population of DHH adults under age 65 in the country. According to the American Community Survey, about 40,000 people—roughly 3.5% of the local population—identify as Deaf or hard of hearing. A 2020 Journal of the American Heart Association study found over 60% of Deaf respondents couldn’t name a single stroke symptom, and only 61% said they would call 911 during a stroke or heart attack. Methods: This community-centered initiative is grounded in clinical stroke knowledge and academic training in American Sign Language (ASL) and Deaf Studies. The educational presentation was developed to explore barriers to stroke care in the DHH community and provide clinicians with practical tools to enhance communication and emergency response. Content includes basic ASL signs for emergency use, culturally competent communication strategies, and an analysis of systemic inequities affecting stroke care for DHH individuals. Results: Key barriers identified include: Inconsistent NIH Stroke Scale scoring for nonverbal or ASL-using patients, Communication challenges during emergencies-Worsened by interpreter delays, Limited provider awareness of Deaf culture and ASL-specific brain processing, Ineffectiveness of video interpreting in high-acuity settings, Insurance-related access issues Conclusion: By fostering inclusive and accessible stroke education, this initiative seeks to reduce health disparities, improve emergency responsiveness, and ultimately save lives. This presentation serves as a call to action for healthcare providers and educators to prioritize health equity by delivering culturally and linguistically appropriate education to underserved populations—including the Deaf and hard-of-hearing community. Generative AI (ChatGPT, OpenAI) was used to support language refinement. All content was reviewed and finalized by the author.