National Center for Deaf Health Research

03/06/2026

In case you missed it, our current grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) enables us to study how Deaf Weight Wise (DWW) can become a community-led program with partners across the nation. But what is DWW? Lori, a research coordinator here, briefly introduces DWW, explains how it was adapted for use with the Deaf community, and shares what’s involved in this intervention.

Note: This post is for information-sharing purposes only. We at the NCDHR are not currently enrolling participants in DWW.

Accessibility note: The video is presented in ASL with English subtitles. A full transcript is also included in the video description below.

The video begins with an image on a plain white background and bold black text in the center that reads, “What is Deaf Weight Wise (DWW)?” In the bottom left corner, there is a logo for the National Center for Deaf Health Research (NCDHR), with additional text underneath stating, “National Center for Deaf Health Research, Rochester Prevention Research Center.” On the bottom right, there are three circular icons: a green heart with a check mark, a stylized network of green and purple figures, and a green plate with a fork, representing themes of health and community. Below these icons is faint text that reads “Deaf Weight Wise.”

The video transitions to Lori, a Caucasian woman with long light brown hair and glasses, wearing a dark-colored top. She is positioned slightly off-center in front of a light blue wall. Behind her, there is a white filing cabinet with several books and a red object on top, as well as a few small pictures or notes pinned to the wall.

Lori begins in ASL: “CDC funding opportunity led to the first-ever Deaf Weight Wise (DWW) Randomized Clinical Trial (RCT). What is DWW? DWW is an evidence-based intervention related to managing a healthy weight among deaf-ASL users. DWW was first adapted from University of North Carolina where they performed research study with their group. We then used their curriculum and adapted it for users within the Deaf community. For our Counselors, we use the deaf-to-deaf (peer) model which means Counselors who are Deaf themselves interacts with audience of deaf-ASL users to discuss about DWW. It is a 16-week program with a maintenance phase. During the 16-week program, teams meet for one 2-hour session each week. Discussion revolves around different types of healthy lifestyle information related to food, how to count calories and here is a list of the many different topics that the curriculum addresses.”

The video transitions into another slide with an image, showing this question “What is Deaf Weight Wise (DWW)?” on the top, and describes that the program is adapted from the Weight Wise program at the University of North Carolina and the Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP). It states that all DWW counselors are Deaf and fluent in ASL, trained by Deaf DWW trainers, and that participants are also Deaf ASL users. The program consists of a 16-week intervention with 2-hour weekly sessions focused on healthy lifestyle information and a motivational interviewing approach. A colored timeline graphic illustrates the program phases: a 16-week intervention period followed by a 6-month maintenance phase. The maintenance phase includes support through emails, VideoPhone calls, and two in-person group meetings with DWW counselors and group members. On the right side of the slide is a list of all 16 weekly session topics, covering areas such as nutrition, stress management, support, and motivation. At the bottom are logos for the National Center for Deaf Health Research (NCDHR), the University of Rochester Medical Center, and the Clinical & Translational Science Institute (CTSI).

Lori continues: “Counselors use a Motivational Interviewing approach which means they would work with their group to help them identify their goals and at the same time, teach new information to support them through their journey. After the 16-week period, the group transitions into the maintenance phase. This is also in person; however Counselor will check in once a month remotely send bi-weekly emails with four questions and run two in-person groups during the 3rd and 6th month for the maintenance sessions.”

The video ends with a final slide image that displays a green background featuring various contact details and social media platforms for the National Center for Deaf Health Research (NCDHR). At the top left, there is an icon of a laptop screen with the text "www." followed by the website URL urmc.edu/ncdhr. On the top right, there is a blue Facebook logo next to the link facebook.com/rochesterprc. In the middle-left section, there is a circular blue icon of an envelope, indicating email contact, with the address NCDHR@urmc.rochester.edu. To the right of this is the Instagram handle , next to the multicolored Instagram logo. At the bottom left, a gray icon of a smartphone represents video phone (VP) contact with the number (585) 228-2299. Finally, at the bottom right, a link to their YouTube channel is provided: youtube.com/user/NCDHRResearch, accompanied by the red and white YouTube logo.

03/02/2026

National Nutrition Month!

At NCDHR, we’re all about encouraging healthy eating and active living as key parts of a balanced lifestyle through Deaf Weight Wise. Looking for some inspiration in the kitchen? Check out our Pinterest page, where we share a variety of nutritious recipes. It’s a great opportunity to discover and try something new this month!

https://www.pinterest.com/rprcncdhr/

02/19/2026

ICYMI (In Case You Missed It): Last month, we shared our Winter 2025/2026 updates video announcing that DEAF, Inc., Massachusetts, has become our first partner in the Deaf Weight Wise (DWW) Implementation Research project. DEAF, Inc. also shared this exciting news with their community, and we’re resharing it to help spread the word!

Interested in learning more? Contact the NCDHR team at NCDHR@URMC.Rochester.edu

In this video, the National Center for Deaf Health Research announces its partnership with DEAF, Inc. to implement the Deaf Weight Wise program in MA. Watch the full video at https://youtu.be/a1SU9Hy5SAQ?si=uX8dxMGlNDryiCyL

Image description:

The image is a still frame from a vlog. In it, a Black man is seated at a round table. He is wearing dark-rimmed glasses, a pink polo shirt, and a watch. His hands are positioned as if signing the word “advocacy.” Behind him is a dark blue background. On the right side of the screen is the logo for the University of Rochester Medical Center. Below that is the logo for the National Center for Deaf Health Research, Rochester Prevention Research Center. At the bottom of the screen, in yellow on black, is text that says, “will be DEAF, Inc. from Massachusetts.”

02/13/2026

Rochester friends, save the date!

Partners in Deaf Health will be hosting this year’s Finger Lakes Deaf Health Fair on Saturday, April 11th, from 10 am - 3 pm at Monroe Community Hospital. Be sure to follow their page below for updates.

See you there!

02/09/2026

ICYMI (In Case You Missed It): Earlier this month, Gov Kathy Hochul shared her proposals to strengthen NYS’ support systems and make NY more inclusive. Included with this plan are two that may be of interest to our audiences—“Streamlining Access to American Sign Language Services,” and “Ensuring Health Equity for New Yorkers with Disabilities.” The first aim is to improve access to ASL interpretation and ASL-based government materials, the second is to collect and analyze data on healthcare access and outcomes for people with disabilities. Both would be crucial for our communities’ access to language and public health initiatives.

These are only two examples from the recent proposal, to learn more, visit: https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/governor-hochul-unveils-proposals-strengthen-support-systems-and-make-new-york-more-inclusive

As the agency that oversees the New York State Office of Language Access, OGS applauds Governor Kathy Hochul's 2026 State of the State proposal to implement guidelines that guarantee American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation services as part of New York State’s language access policy.

ASL is a distinct language with its own syntax used by hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers who are deaf or hard of hearing. Currently, ASL interpretation services are not guaranteed under the Language Access Law. Governor Hochul’s proposal will make state government accessible to all New Yorkers and:

🔹Ensure ASL users have truly equal access to state benefits and services.
🔹Remove confusion and delay in the provision of ASL interpretation services.

More from Governor Hochul: https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/governor-hochul-unveils-proposals-strengthen-support-systems-and-make-new-york-more-inclusive

As a New Yorker, you have the right to an interpreter, no matter your preferred language, when seeking services or benefits from state agencies covered under the language access law. To learn more about your language access rights in New York State, visit the NYS Office of Language Access’s website: https://ogs.ny.gov/know-your-rights

02/05/2026

February 6th, 2026: National Wear Red Day

Heart disease is still the #1 cause of death for women — and that’s why awareness matters. This Friday, February 6, wear red to show your support, raise your voice, and be part of the change. Resources are available, and together we can take steps toward a healthier future and fight heart disease and stroke. ❤️

To learn more: https://www.goredforwomen.org/en/

02/04/2026

The upcoming Public Health Grand Rounds (PGHR) topic is “Hormones and Cognition in Women: Menopause and Beyond.” The webinar will feature Dr. Miriam Weber, PhD who will provide an overview of cognition across the menopausal transition and the effects of hormone therapy on cognition and dementia risk.

PHGR are a collaborative effort between the University of Rochester’s Center for Community Health & Prevention and the Department of Public Health Sciences.

Link to register: https://rochester.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_0ajLbR3aRWyoFi11Z65Fmw #/registration

To see upcoming events or previous/archived recordings, visit: www.urmc.rochester.edu/community-health/education/grand-rounds

02/03/2026

February is Black History Month. Receive 28 Days of Black History delivered daily to your inbox. Each day shares important parts of Black history and provides questions to allow for personal or group reflection.

Today’s topic is Jerry Rescue Day which has history here in New York. William “Jerry” Henry was an enslaved person that escaped the South but was arrested under the Fugitive Slave Act (allowing citizens and officials to participate in the tracking of these folks). Jerry was freed from the jail (by a large crowd) and was hidden until he was safely able to make his way to Canada. This was a significant event weakening the Fugistive Slave Act. Jerry Rescue Day is honored October 1st and is marked by a Jerry Rescue Monument in Syracuse, highlighting the city’s deep connections to the Underground Railroad.

Visit the web for more info: www.28daysofblackhistory.com

Sign up to receive these emails: https://28daysofblackhistory.us19.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=9d2f04a1748d00e2b1357b86a&id=185a711e6b

01/14/2026

We are excited to share our Year 2 plans as of this winter. In this update, Earl shares information about our current Deaf Weight Wise (DWW) Implementation Research, which highlights our first partner, DEAF, Inc.

Please reach out to NCDHR with any questions or concerns, ncdhr@urmc.rochester.edu, (585) 228-2299 VP.



Accessibility notes: Video is in ASL with English subtitles. Transcript included with video description below.

The video begins with an image with a winter theme, dominated by a deep blue background. The title "WINTER UPDATE" and "YEAR 2 [2025-2026]" are written in a large, bold, and modern sans-serif font, using a vibrant yellow color. Three stylized white snowflakes are scattered across the background, one in each corner, and one at the top left. At the bottom left, the logo for "NCDHR" (National Center for Deaf Health Research) is placed, along with the full name and "Rochester Prevention Research Center" in smaller text below it. On the bottom right, "EARL ALLEN" is listed, followed by "RESEARCH COORDINATOR" below it. The same yellow font is used.

Earl, an African American male, is wearing a coral pink polo shirt and black glasses. He is seated at a table and wearing a black smartwatch on his left wrist. Behind him is a dark blue background with logos and text on the right. First is the University of Rochester Medical Center logo with the yellow-and-blue shield that says "Meliora." Second is the "NCDHR” – followed by our “’health’ sign” in abstract ASL and text below: “National Center for Deaf Health Research Rochester Prevention Research Center."

Earl (ASL): “Hello, I’m here to share an update on our Year 2 plans. As mentioned previously, we received our Year 2 funding to continue our implementation research work until September 2026.Our implementation research focuses on what helps (or doesn’t help) our community partners to run and maintain the Deaf Weight Wise program within their sites and locations. DWW is a 16-week healthy lifestyle intervention. All DWW sessions are hosted by a Deaf Coach with Deaf community members.”

While Earl is signing, a logo briefly appears on the lower right side of the screen. This image is a logo for "Deaf Weight Wise" in white. From left to right, the first circular icon depicts a stylized heart shape, with a check mark incorporated into it. The second icon features a group of interconnected figures, presumably representing people, holding hands and forming a circle, their arms raised upwards. The final icon shows a fork and a spoon, arranged on a white circle. Below these icons, the text "Deaf Weight Wise" is displayed in a script font.

Earl continues: “During this cycle (and this year), we are focused on implementing DWW outside of New York. With this update, we are also happy to share that our first partner to implement DWW will be DEAF, Inc. from Massachusetts.”

A screenshot of a website briefly appears. Across the top in a bold, yellow font are "www.deafincma.org" on the left and social media icons for Facebook and Instagram on the right, followed by "". Below, a dark blue banner displays navigation links: "Home", "About", "Join Our Team", "News", "Contact", with "DONATE" and "SUBSCRIBE" buttons. The banner is segmented into sections with different background colors. From left to right: green labeled "Advocacy, Resources, and Education Services (ARES)", purple labeled "DeafBlind Community Access Network (DBCAN)", and orange labeled "IMPACT". The main image features a scene of people interacting outdoors. In the foreground, a woman wearing a police officer uniform is giving a high five to a man in a navy blue shirt and a green cap, both of whom have their backs to the camera. Another man is visible between them. The background includes a table with various items on it, people, cars parked on the side of a street, and some houses. The man between the high-fiving pair has a number "21" pinned to his shirt. Overlaid on the image in large white text are the words "UPLIFTING OUR COMMUNITY FOR OVER 45 YEARS". Beneath this is smaller text stating "Dedicated to Deaf, Hard of Hearing, DeafBlind and Late-Deafened Lives in Massachusetts."

Earl continues: “DEAF, Inc. was established in 1977 and has a long history of providing direct services and resources to Deaf, DeafBlind, Hard of Hearing, and Late-Deafened people in Eastern Massachusetts and statewide.”

As Earl is signing, a logo appears alongside on the lower right part of the screen. The central design element is a stylized representation of two clenched fists in white. These fists are positioned in the top-left portion of the image, in a position of solidarity. On the right of the fists is a white silhouette of the state of Massachusetts, which contains the words "DEAF INC." in a bold, sans-serif font. Below "DEAF INC." and within the white rectangle is "EST. 1977" in a smaller, but still clear font.

Earl continues: “In addition to implementing DWW with our community partners, we are currently hosting an evaluation survey for all NCDHR community partners, which includes our DWW Community Committee, Local Partner Advisory Board (LPAB), and National External Advisory Committee (NEAC).”

A screenshot of a slide briefly appears. At the top, the logo "NCDHR" is prominent, followed by the text "Community Engagement" in a clean sans-serif font. The main body of the image features a purple circular outline encompassing a list of committees. These include "National External Advisory Committee," "Local Partner Advisory Board," "RPRC: NCDHR Executive Committee," "Deaf Weight Wise (DWW) Community Committee," and "Healthy Living with Hearing Loss (HL2) Community Committee." Each committee is represented by a green rectangular box with white text. To the right of the committee list, several additional elements are present. A dark blue map of the United States indicates the geographical focus. Below the map, the text "Rochester, NY" is displayed, further contextualizing the location. A star-shaped logo with blue segments is also visible. Below the "Rochester, NY" label are multiple icons, each representing a city: Buffalo, Rochester, and Syracuse. These icons appear to be related to the health initiatives. Beneath the cities, the phrase "DEAF WEIGHT WISE" is written in green. Also featured is a logo, "HL2," along with the phrase "Healthy Living with Hearing Loss" in blue.

Earl continues: “This survey is intended to provide space for our community partners to further provide feedback on our Center's functioning, as well as provide insight into future research topics and what may be a priority for our communities. This is an evaluation project in progress; we hope to share updates with the community-at-large once we can review survey results with our partners. Please contact us if you have any questions for our team or would like to learn more. Thank you.”

The video ends with a slide, showing at the top, centered, is the logo of the National Center for Deaf Health Research (NCDHR). The logo features the letters "NCDHR" in a sans-serif white font, with the health logo next to it. Beneath the logo, in a smaller white font, is the text "National Center for Deaf Health Research / Rochester Prevention Research Center".
Below the logo, centered in the image, is the text "FOR QUESTIONS OR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT THE NCDHR TEAM", in a bold, yellow sans-serif font. Further down, centered, is the contact information: "NCDHR@URMC.ROCHESTER.EDU" followed by "(585) 228-2299 VP". The email address and phone number are in white font. In the bottom right corner is a white snowflake graphic.
-end

01/12/2026

We can often feel overwhelmed when embarking on a new challenge or set of goals, a theme that may be familiar at the start of each New Year.

When thinking about our goals it’s important to ensure that our everyday habits are aligned with our goals and becoming aware of our habits while making these small steps towards change is important.

From Healthy Monday, “How to change a habit that no longer serves you?”
Identify what you want to change
Pay attention to cues and triggers
Adjust your environment
Replace the habit with something healthier
Partner up with family and friends for support
Stay patient and persistent

For more tips and examples how to get started, follow Monday or visit: https://healthymonday.com/whole-health/6-tips-to-shift-habits-that-no-longer-serve-you

01/08/2026

Are you a Licensed Social Worker seeking a new opportunity? Our friends at the Deaf Wellness Center are seeking another therapist!

Reach out to the DWC with questions; link to apply: https://rochester.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/UR_Staff/job/Strong-Memorial-Hospital/Social--Worker_R267565