Poorna Kushalnagar
Gallaudet University, DC·Public Health & Epidemiology
About 500,000 Americans use American Sign Language (ASL). Many report trouble understanding printed cancer information and reaching screening services.
- Fields
Public Health & Epidemiology
Medicine & Clinical Research
Social Science
- Topics
American Sign Language
deaf health
cancer screening
- Grants
- 1 known grant, through Aug 2027
What they work on
- Test in a randomized controlled trial whether ASL-proficient community health navigators reached by videoconference improve cancer screening adherence among American Sign Language users.
- Evaluate whether navigator support improves ASL users' cancer knowledge, risk perception and understanding of recommended care plans, including screenings tailored to family history and personal risk factors.
- Identify and resolve barriers ASL users face in accessing cancer prevention and screening services, delivering interventions designed around the needs of sign language users.
More about the research
They also report difficulty following treatment instructions when screening leads to a cancer diagnosis. These barriers contribute to poorer health outcomes in these communities. The project asks whether trained helpers who sign fluently can close this gap.
Why it matters
Deaf and hard-of-hearing Americans who use ASL face communication barriers that can delay cancer screening and complicate care. If ASL-fluent navigators delivered by videoconference prove effective, they could offer health systems a practical model for raising screening rates. They could also help ASL users understand their personal cancer risk and follow care plans.
Known grants
From NIH and NSF research grants. Labs often have other funding we can't see.
Closest labs
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Sarah Miller
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The school
Gallaudet University: 2 labs on PI Pages, $10M a year on research, 12 research doctorates a year.
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