Diabetes Care Disparities in Deaf/Hard of Hearing and Blind/Low Vision Populations

Describe the connection between Deaf/hard of hearing (DHH) and diabetes, explain the bidirectional relationship of blind/low vision (BLV) and diabetes, characterize challenges DHH and BLV populations face when seeking healthcare regarding their diabetes management. Highlight the inaccessibility of diabetes technology in these populations. Provide best practices when communicating with DHH and BLV people in the clinical setting.

Diabetes disparities exist in DHH and BLV populations due to systemic barriers to health equity related to access and communication. Structural barriers, risk factors, social determinants of health, and the U.S. healthcare system do not support the DHH and BLV communities. Importantly, healthcare professionals do not receive adequate training on communication and treatment of DHH and BLV populations. Together, social determinants of health, such as healthcare access and quality, education access and quality, and lack of adequate clinician training allow ableism to persist and drive health disparities in these communities. Health disparities faced by DHH and BLV populations are driven by barriers to diabetes standards of care. These inequities must be rectified to improve and maintain high quality care.