Due to historical marginalization and discrimination against the LGBTQIA2S+ community, LGBTQIA2S+individuals are disproportionately impacted by healthcare disparities. Healthcare disparities are “preventable gaps in the access to and quality of health care” (University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, 2020) and include:
- Limited access to quality preventative services
- Limited access to culturally responsive competent providers and services
- Increased prevalence of illness and comorbidities
In addition to the historical marginalization of the LGBTQIA2S+community, several factors contribute to health disparities that impact the LGBTQIA2S+community including:
- Fear of discrimination and/or maltreatment from providers and support staff
- Financial insecurity
- Lack of acknowledgement and respect for gender pronouns
According to Healthy People 2020, eliminating LGBTQIA2S+health disparities and enhancing efforts to improve LGBTQIA+ health are necessary to ensure that individuals can lead long, healthy lives. The many benefits of reducing disparities include:
- Improved overall quality of life
- Reductions in disease transmission and progression
- Enhanced physical and socioemotional well-being
- Reduced health care costs
Read more here: https://www.healthypeople.gov/2020/topics-objectives/topic/lesbian-gay-bisexual-and-transgender-health
We hope to help mitigate these healthcare inequities for our LGBTQIA2S+ patients this month and always here at Honor Community Health.