SignHealth is a national charity that works to improve the health of deaf people.

We know that deaf people are more likely to experience mental health problems than hearing people. Evidence from Austria suggests that deaf people are also more likely to experience physical health problems.

The frustrating thing is, these illnesses can often be prevented. There is no reason deaf people should have higher rates of hypertension or diabetes, or any other illness. Health services – and particularly health information – do not provide equal treatment for deaf people. That is why SignHealth wants to work with the NHS to make sure their services are accessible and fair. It’s also why we want to work with deaf people to give them important information about healthy living.