Abstract: |
Research shows that populations in developing countries often have a disproportionately higher prevalence of hearing and speech-language disorders than populations in developed countries. Further, data show that people living in the Pacific Island nations that are politically connected with the United States have the highest known rates of chronic middle ear disease. These nations lie in an expanse of ocean larger than the continental U.S. Consisting of thousands of tiny islands with small populations, they are without a single local ENT specialist or audiologist. Diagnostic and intervention services for hearing health are not available to these people with high need.
Demands on health care systems in these nations put services for communication disorders at low priority. Provision of primary health care is further challenged by chronic and endemic diseases, high rates of teen pregnancy, and low rates of immunization. Widespread poverty, inadequate island infrastructure, and vast geographical distances between islands confront efforts to develop needed medical and therapeutic services.
The good news is that, because of U.S. national interest and legislation for identifying deaf babies at birth, federal funds have become available for newborn hearing screening programs in these small nations. Moreover, after services are provided to babies identified by the programs, screening programs, diagnostic services, and visiting specialists also provide access to hearing health for older children and adults. In addition, the newborn hearing screening program is utilized as a venue for raising awareness of the importance of good hearing among the local population and policymakers. Thus, newborn hearing screening is “good news” and not just for babies!
This presentation describes how newborn hearing screening in these Pacific nations provides a pathway of social justice to global hearing health for the many born before newborn hearing screening began. The presentation will discuss opportunities for creating sustainability.
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