Why is LGBTQIA2S+ Health Important?

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.