Health and Access to Care IN The Lgbtqia community
Members of the LGBTQIA community have a different experience when it comes to health than most people. They may be treated differently and therefore be unwilling to seek out healthcare resources. Transgender individuals are the most likely to experience healthcare bias. Increased awareness of the LGBTQIA community and the issues they face has led to some improvements in health care in recent years.
Here are some lists of the top ten issues to discuss with your healthcare provider.
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) individuals often face challenges and barriers to accessing needed health services and, as a result, can experience worse health outcomes. These challenges can include stigma, discrimination, violence, and rejection by families and communities, as well as other barriers, such as inequality in the workplace and health insurance sectors, the provision of substandard care, and outright denial of care because of an individual’s sexual orientation or gender identity. While sexual and gender minorities have many of the same health concerns as the general population, they experience certain health challenges at higher rates, and also face several unique health challenges. In particular, research suggests that some subgroups of the LGBT community have more chronic conditions as well as higher prevalence and earlier onset of disabilities than heterosexuals. Other major health concerns include HIV/AIDS, mental illness, substance use, and sexual and physical violence. In addition to the higher rates of illness and health challenges, some LGBT individuals are more likely to experience challenges obtaining care. Barriers include gaps in coverage, cost-related hurdles, and poor treatment from health care providers.
Kates, Jennifer. "Health and Access to Care and Coverage for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Individuals in the U.S." Kaiser Family Foundation. N.p., 30 July 2015. Web.