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Registration is now OPEN!
Join us—and over 400 of your colleagues—this September in Denver, CO, as we discuss the unique health needs of LGBT patients and explore best practices in addressing these needs as well as the needs of LGBT health professionals and health profession students. GLMA’s Annual Conference is the premier LGBT health conference and the world’s largest scientific gathering devoted to LGBT health issues and concerns. GLMA’s Annual Conference also provides a critical forum for the presentation of research into the health needs of LGBT people. Click here to register now! Annual Conference registration includes: • 20.5 Credit Hours* of Educational Programming (workshop, poster and plenary sessions) • Exhibit Hall Access • Conference Bag and Materials • Receptions • Continental Breakfasts • Membership Luncheon (members and registered guests of members only) Tickets to additional special events such as the Annual Gala Banquet and networking lunches are also available through the main registration system. Guests and partners are welcome at the Annual Conference! GLMA Nursing Summit The GLMA Nursing Summit—a pre-conference, day-long summit—will take place the day before the main conference programming for the GLMA Annual Conference. The GLMA Nursing Summit will bring together LGBT and ally nurses to develop an action plan to improve critical LGBT issues in the nursing profession. Click here to learn more about this exciting event! For more information about GLMA’s 31st Annual Conference, including travel information and discounts, reduced rate for the conference hotel and much, much more, please click here! While you are there, be sure to check out the welcome video from Denver Mayor Michael Hancock! Reposted at http://www.keystothecloset.blogspot.com, |
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Showing posts with label health disparities. Show all posts
Showing posts with label health disparities. Show all posts
Monday, April 22, 2013
GLMA 31st Annual Conference Sept. 18-21, 2013
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Preventing Sexual Violence and Health Disparities
Reposted at http://www.keystothecloset.blogspot.com,
“Health Disparities Research at the Intersection of Race, Ethnicity, and Disability”
Register for April 25-26 Conference on
An AHRQ-sponsored national conference, to be held April 25-26 in Washington, D.C., will bring together researchers, advocates, and policy-makers in racial, ethnic, and disability-related disparities.
Attendees will learn about barriers to health care and health promotion for people with disabilities in underserved racial and ethnic groups, share research work on the intersection of racial/ethnic disparities and
disabilities, and discuss priorities for future research and action. The conference is sponsored by AHRQ, the Association of University Centers on Disabilities, and the Special Hope Foundation.
http://www.ohsu.
Monday, June 11, 2012
HHS Sec. Sebelius on Affordable Healthcare Act
At the heart of this administration is a core
belief in equality. This belief means ensuring that lesbian, gay, bisexual and
transgender (LGBT) Americans have the same protections and opportunities as
their family members, neighbors, friends, and colleagues. Among the many areas
where we are working to ensure that fairness for LGBT individuals is health
care. All Americans, no less LGBT individuals, deserve the right to
accessible, affordable, quality health care. Observing LGBT Pride Month in June
spotlights our commitment to addressing the special health needs of LGBT
Americans and reducing health disparities for them and members of other
vulnerable communities.
Studies have shown that health disparities related to sexual orientation and gender identity are due partly to lower rates of health coverage. LGBT individuals have encountered discrimination in the health care system for decades, and many studies have shown that they are affected by chronic disease at a higher rate than other Americans.
The Affordable Care Act has already made significant progress toward ending some of the worst insurance company abuses and toward helping ensure that LGBT Americans have access to coverage when they need it most. For example, the Affordable Care Act ends lifetime dollar limits on benefits, allowing for long-term comprehensive treatment of chronic diseases. In addition, the federal website, HealthCare.gov, designed to help all consumers find the health insurance best suited to their needs, makes it easy to locate health insurers that cover domestic partners.
The Affordable Care Act will give all Americans, including LGBT Americans, improved access to health coverage through an expanded, stronger Medicaid program and new affordable Insurance Exchanges, marketplaces for quality, affordable health insurance. And as of last fall, insurers can no longer deny coverage to children because of pre-existing health conditions – a protection that will extend to every American in 2014. Similarly, insurers will no longer be able to turn someone away just because he or she is lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender. Additionally under the new law, many Americans, including LGBT individuals, can now get vital preventive services, such as mammograms, HIV testing, and other cancer screenings, with no co-pay or deductible.
The Department of Health and Human Services continues to address the specific health concerns of LGBT Americans, by working to incorporate data collection on LGBT populations into national health surveys and issuing rules requiring hospitals to allow same-sex partners the ability to visit each other in the hospital.
Our efforts haven’t stopped with health care. When confronted with the tragic suicides of LGBT teens around the country who had been bullied, this administration launched a historic effort to stop the bullying of LGBT children and youth in their homes, schools, and communities. We’ve also launched a new website called StopBullying.gov, a one-stop shop where kids, teens, parents, and educators can go online to learn about preventing and stopping bullying.
During Pride Month, we celebrate our accomplishments while focusing on the work still to be done. Our department is committed to improving the health and well-being of all Americans, including LGBT Americans, and we look forward to continuing this work during Pride Month and beyond.
For more information about how the Affordable Care Act is giving LGBT Americans more control over their health care, see factsheets and brochures.
Reprinted at http://www.keystothecloset.blogspot.com,
Studies have shown that health disparities related to sexual orientation and gender identity are due partly to lower rates of health coverage. LGBT individuals have encountered discrimination in the health care system for decades, and many studies have shown that they are affected by chronic disease at a higher rate than other Americans.
The Affordable Care Act has already made significant progress toward ending some of the worst insurance company abuses and toward helping ensure that LGBT Americans have access to coverage when they need it most. For example, the Affordable Care Act ends lifetime dollar limits on benefits, allowing for long-term comprehensive treatment of chronic diseases. In addition, the federal website, HealthCare.gov, designed to help all consumers find the health insurance best suited to their needs, makes it easy to locate health insurers that cover domestic partners.
The Affordable Care Act will give all Americans, including LGBT Americans, improved access to health coverage through an expanded, stronger Medicaid program and new affordable Insurance Exchanges, marketplaces for quality, affordable health insurance. And as of last fall, insurers can no longer deny coverage to children because of pre-existing health conditions – a protection that will extend to every American in 2014. Similarly, insurers will no longer be able to turn someone away just because he or she is lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender. Additionally under the new law, many Americans, including LGBT individuals, can now get vital preventive services, such as mammograms, HIV testing, and other cancer screenings, with no co-pay or deductible.
The Department of Health and Human Services continues to address the specific health concerns of LGBT Americans, by working to incorporate data collection on LGBT populations into national health surveys and issuing rules requiring hospitals to allow same-sex partners the ability to visit each other in the hospital.
Our efforts haven’t stopped with health care. When confronted with the tragic suicides of LGBT teens around the country who had been bullied, this administration launched a historic effort to stop the bullying of LGBT children and youth in their homes, schools, and communities. We’ve also launched a new website called StopBullying.gov, a one-stop shop where kids, teens, parents, and educators can go online to learn about preventing and stopping bullying.
During Pride Month, we celebrate our accomplishments while focusing on the work still to be done. Our department is committed to improving the health and well-being of all Americans, including LGBT Americans, and we look forward to continuing this work during Pride Month and beyond.
For more information about how the Affordable Care Act is giving LGBT Americans more control over their health care, see factsheets and brochures.
Reprinted at http://www.keystothecloset.blogspot.com,
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Hispanic Lesbians and Bisexual Women at Heightened Risk of Health Disparities
Posted: February 02, 2012
A recent study titled Hispanic Lesbians and Bisexual Women at Heightened Risk or Health Disparities, published in the American Journal of Public Health found Hispanic lesbian and bisexual women tend to be at a greater risk of worse health outcomes than Hispanic heterosexual as well as white lesbian and bisexual women. Little background literature covers health disparities among sexual minorities of color, especially Hispanics, according to the authors. This study aims to explore how Hispanic sexual minorities fare in health care access, health outcomes, health status, and health risk behaviors.
Hispanic lesbians and bisexual women, compared with Hispanic heterosexual women, were at elevated risk for disparities in smoking, asthma, and disability. Hispanic bisexual women also showed higher odds of arthritis, acute drinking, poor general health, and frequent mental distress compared with Hispanic heterosexual women. In addition, Hispanic bisexual women were more likely to report frequent mental distress than were non-Hispanic White bisexual women. Hispanic lesbians were more likely to report asthma than were non-Hispanic White lesbians.
The study used the weighted-data from a 7- year merged file of the Washington State Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), 2003 – 2009. The sample size for the analysis was 6,338. Only Hispanic and white women who self- identified as lesbian, bisexual, or heterosexual were included in the study. Within the sample, 1.1% were Hispanic lesbian and 1.6% were Hispanic bisexual. Data were collected for health status, health risk behaviors, health outcomes, and health care access.
This study is one of the first studies to assess disparities among Hispanic lesbian and bisexual women according to the authors. The authors suggest that further research is needed in order to develop culturally appropriate programs that meet the needs of these subgroups. This in turn, as the authors argue, will achieve the goals laid out Healthy People 2020.
Reposted at http://www.keystothecloset.blogspot.com
A recent study titled Hispanic Lesbians and Bisexual Women at Heightened Risk or Health Disparities, published in the American Journal of Public Health found Hispanic lesbian and bisexual women tend to be at a greater risk of worse health outcomes than Hispanic heterosexual as well as white lesbian and bisexual women. Little background literature covers health disparities among sexual minorities of color, especially Hispanics, according to the authors. This study aims to explore how Hispanic sexual minorities fare in health care access, health outcomes, health status, and health risk behaviors.
Hispanic lesbians and bisexual women, compared with Hispanic heterosexual women, were at elevated risk for disparities in smoking, asthma, and disability. Hispanic bisexual women also showed higher odds of arthritis, acute drinking, poor general health, and frequent mental distress compared with Hispanic heterosexual women. In addition, Hispanic bisexual women were more likely to report frequent mental distress than were non-Hispanic White bisexual women. Hispanic lesbians were more likely to report asthma than were non-Hispanic White lesbians.
The study used the weighted-data from a 7- year merged file of the Washington State Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), 2003 – 2009. The sample size for the analysis was 6,338. Only Hispanic and white women who self- identified as lesbian, bisexual, or heterosexual were included in the study. Within the sample, 1.1% were Hispanic lesbian and 1.6% were Hispanic bisexual. Data were collected for health status, health risk behaviors, health outcomes, and health care access.
This study is one of the first studies to assess disparities among Hispanic lesbian and bisexual women according to the authors. The authors suggest that further research is needed in order to develop culturally appropriate programs that meet the needs of these subgroups. This in turn, as the authors argue, will achieve the goals laid out Healthy People 2020.
Reposted at http://www.keystothecloset.blogspot.com
Friday, January 13, 2012
HHS Statement on LGBT Health and Affordable Care Act
Better Health and Well-BeingMaking Improvements for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender (LGBT) Americans
President Obama has demonstrated that his vision for a brighter future includes greater equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) Americans. The President and his Administration are dedicated to eliminating barriers to equality, fighting discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, and engaging LGBT communities across the country.
As part of the Obama Administration’s commitment, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) continues to engage in a concerted effort to improve the health and well-being of all Americans, including LGBT Americans. Secretary Kathleen Sebelius has led these efforts to promote equal treatment of LGBT Americans, provide enhanced resources for LGBT health issues, and develop better information regarding LGBT health needs.
To ensure the consideration of LGBT concerns throughout HHS's activities, Secretary Sebelius established a committee of senior representatives from each division of HHS. This committee coordinates LGBT-related policies across the department and recommends future action that HHS can take to improve the health and well-being of LGBT communities.
These efforts stemmed from President Obama’s Memorandum on Hospital Visitation, which, in addition to addressing the rights of hospital patients to designate visitors regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, directed Secretary Sebelius to explore additional steps HHS could take to improve the lives of LGBT people and their families.
The Affordable Care Act
The Affordable Care Act is greatly improving access to health coverage for LGBT Americans. Studies have shown that health disparities related to sexual orientation and gender identity are due in part to lower rates of health coverage. The Affordable Care Act will give all Americans, including LGBT Americans, improved access to health coverage through an expanded, stronger Medicaid program and new Affordable Insurance Exchanges, marketplaces for quality, affordable health insurance. Moreover, thanks to the Affordable Care Act, insurance companies will no longer be able to deny individuals coverage or charge them more based on pre-existing conditions – meaning that all Americans will have the security of knowing that they can access affordable, quality health coverage even if they lose their jobs, switch jobs, move, or become sick.
Other notable parts in the Affordable Care Act that will benefit LGBT Americans – like all Americans – are the provisions that permit individuals to remain on their parents’ health plans until age 26 and enhance the availability of preventive services for women in new health plans and seniors on Medicare.
As the Affordable Care Act is implemented, HHS has taken significant steps to help improve the health and well-being of LGBT Americans.
Equal Rights for LGBT Americans
In the past, many same-sex domestic partners were denied the ability to visit their loved ones in the hospital. At the direction of President Obama, HHS has taken action to ensure equal rights for LGBT Americans to visit their partners in the hospital. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued new rules in November 2010 for hospitals that participate in Medicare and Medicaid that require them to respect the right of all patients to choose who may visit them when they are hospitalized.
In September 2011, at the same time that CMS stepped up enforcement of hospital visitation rights, it also clarified that same-sex couples have the same rights as other couples in terms of naming a representative who can make medical decisions on a patient’s behalf. Existing rules protect the rights of hospital patients to have representatives who can act on their behalf. HHS has updated the guidance explaining these rules to make it easier for family members, including same-sex partners, to make informed care decisions for loved ones who have become incapacitated.
CMS has also issued guidance to states making clear that same-sex partners may be afforded treatment comparable to other spouses when it comes to receiving long-term care, such as care in a nursing home, under Medicaid. Federal law protects assets, such as a couple’s home, in the event that a married individual must receive nursing home care through Medicaid. In June 2011, CMS clarified that states have the flexibility to extend this protection to same-sex partners.
Secretary Sebelius has also strengthened internal policies at HHS to help ensure that LGBT individuals have equal access to HHS programs and employment opportunities. In April 2011 the Secretary issued a new policy explicitly requiring employees to serve all individuals eligible for HHS programs without regard to non-merit factors, including sexual orientation and gender identity. In addition, in March of 2011, the Secretary updated and clarified HHS’s equal employment policy – which already protected against unfair treatment based on a person’s sexual orientation – to also include gender identity and genetic information.
Stronger Resources to Improve LGBT Health and Well-Being
HHS has taken many steps to strengthen the health resources available to LGBT Americans over the first three years of the Obama Administration.
In 2010, HHS established the nation’s first national resource center for older LGBT individuals. This center, funded by the Administration on Aging (AoA), supports communities across the country as they aim to serve the estimated 1.5 to 4 million LGBT individuals who are 60 and older. The center provides information, assistance and resources for both aging services, LGBT organizations, and providers at the state and community level to assist them in the development and provision of culturally sensitive supports and services.
In July 2010, President Obama and Secretary Sebelius announced the National HIV/AIDS Strategy, a rigorous effort to increase access to care and lower the number of new HIV cases in the United States by 25 percent within the next five years. The strategy seeks to reduce HIV-related health disparities with a specific focus on high-risk populations, including certain LGBT populations.
In September 2010, HHS announced that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) allocated $30 million in new resources to support the National HIV/AIDS strategy. These funds, made available by the Affordable Care Act, are providing a boost to states and communities as they focus HIV prevention on high-risk populations. The funds are also helping fill critical gaps in data, knowledge, and understanding of the epidemic.
In September 2010, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) announced $42.6 million in new grants over a three-year period to provide behavioral health services in communities most impacted by HIV/AIDS. Funding for the “12 Cities” program will be used to develop and expand networks of primary care, HIV/AIDS and behavioral health service providers serving racial and ethnic minorities, including LGBT individuals, with or at high risk for HIV/AIDS.
In October 2010, the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) announced a $13.3 million grant to the Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Center over five years to help address barriers to permanency and well-being for LGBT foster youth, who are disproportionately represented in the foster care population. This is one of the largest federal grants to an organization that primarily serves LGBT communities.
In March 2011, HHS launched a new website – www.StopBullying.gov – which contains a dedicated section for LGBT youth. The site includes specific resources and assistance for LGBT youth, including examples of community groups that offer support and options to seek counseling. Secretary Sebelius also taped an “It Gets Better” video to address LGBT youth who have been bullied and are at risk of depression and suicide.
In June 2011, ACF announced the creation of a resource center to support resettlement of LGBT refugees who have faced persecution and discrimination in their home countries. The new center will provide resources to resettlement workers who are helping refugees assimilate in America in key locations, and provide training to staff on issues and needs specific to LGBT refugees.
In September 2011, the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) awarded $248,000 to create a National Training and Technical Assistance Center to help community health centers (CHCs) provide improved care for LGBT patients. The center will work in consultation with CHCs across the country – providing training for doctors, nurses, and other employees and developing health information resources specifically for LGBT patients. Additionally, SAMHSA is disseminating training curricula to help providers more effectively provide behavioral health services to LGBT Americans, in particular members of racial and ethnic minority populations.
Better Information on LGBT Health Needs
In June 2011, Secretary Sebelius announced HHS’ plans to greatly enhance the collection of health data on LGBT populations. Gathering data on LGBT individuals will help researchers, policy makers, health care providers, and advocates identify and address health disparities affecting the LGBT population.
Additionally, in March 2011, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) released a report commissioned by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) on the state of research and science regarding the health needs of LGBT people. The report provides the scientific community with the first comprehensive overview of health-related research on LGBT health issues – an important step in identifying research gaps and opportunities. To address the IOM’s recommendations, NIH formed an internal committee to review the report and determine how NIH can strengthen LGBT health research, and include LGBT Americans in clinical studies.
In October 2011, HRSA released Women’s Health USA 2011, the tenth edition of an annual data book identifying priorities, trends and disparities in women’s health. For the first time, this report features data on the health of lesbian and bisexual women. Among other things, the report found that health disparities exist by sexual orientation. The full report is available at: http://www.mchb.hrsa.gov/whusa11/.
Every ten years, HHS develops national, science-based objectives for promoting health and preventing disease for the following decade. In 2010, as part of this initiative – “Healthy People 2020” – for the first time, a formal workgroup was established to examine scientific literature on LGBT health. The workgroup will propose objectives regarding LGBT health as part of this comprehensive initiative.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Secretary Sebelius and the Department of Health and Human Services are committed to continuing these efforts, including by identifying ways to improve the health and well-being of LGBT Americans, and by coordinating the department’s activities around LGBT health.
More information on the department’s activities concerning LGBT health can be found at: http://www.hhs.gov/secretary/about/lgbthealth.html
Information on President Obama’s commitment to the LGBT community can be found at: http://www.whitehouse.gov/lgbt
Posted at http://www.hhs.gov/secretary/about/lgbthealth_update_2011.html
Reposted at http://www.keystothecloset.blogspot.com
President Obama has demonstrated that his vision for a brighter future includes greater equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) Americans. The President and his Administration are dedicated to eliminating barriers to equality, fighting discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, and engaging LGBT communities across the country.
As part of the Obama Administration’s commitment, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) continues to engage in a concerted effort to improve the health and well-being of all Americans, including LGBT Americans. Secretary Kathleen Sebelius has led these efforts to promote equal treatment of LGBT Americans, provide enhanced resources for LGBT health issues, and develop better information regarding LGBT health needs.
To ensure the consideration of LGBT concerns throughout HHS's activities, Secretary Sebelius established a committee of senior representatives from each division of HHS. This committee coordinates LGBT-related policies across the department and recommends future action that HHS can take to improve the health and well-being of LGBT communities.
These efforts stemmed from President Obama’s Memorandum on Hospital Visitation, which, in addition to addressing the rights of hospital patients to designate visitors regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, directed Secretary Sebelius to explore additional steps HHS could take to improve the lives of LGBT people and their families.
The Affordable Care Act
The Affordable Care Act is greatly improving access to health coverage for LGBT Americans. Studies have shown that health disparities related to sexual orientation and gender identity are due in part to lower rates of health coverage. The Affordable Care Act will give all Americans, including LGBT Americans, improved access to health coverage through an expanded, stronger Medicaid program and new Affordable Insurance Exchanges, marketplaces for quality, affordable health insurance. Moreover, thanks to the Affordable Care Act, insurance companies will no longer be able to deny individuals coverage or charge them more based on pre-existing conditions – meaning that all Americans will have the security of knowing that they can access affordable, quality health coverage even if they lose their jobs, switch jobs, move, or become sick.
Other notable parts in the Affordable Care Act that will benefit LGBT Americans – like all Americans – are the provisions that permit individuals to remain on their parents’ health plans until age 26 and enhance the availability of preventive services for women in new health plans and seniors on Medicare.
As the Affordable Care Act is implemented, HHS has taken significant steps to help improve the health and well-being of LGBT Americans.
Equal Rights for LGBT Americans
In the past, many same-sex domestic partners were denied the ability to visit their loved ones in the hospital. At the direction of President Obama, HHS has taken action to ensure equal rights for LGBT Americans to visit their partners in the hospital. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued new rules in November 2010 for hospitals that participate in Medicare and Medicaid that require them to respect the right of all patients to choose who may visit them when they are hospitalized.
In September 2011, at the same time that CMS stepped up enforcement of hospital visitation rights, it also clarified that same-sex couples have the same rights as other couples in terms of naming a representative who can make medical decisions on a patient’s behalf. Existing rules protect the rights of hospital patients to have representatives who can act on their behalf. HHS has updated the guidance explaining these rules to make it easier for family members, including same-sex partners, to make informed care decisions for loved ones who have become incapacitated.
CMS has also issued guidance to states making clear that same-sex partners may be afforded treatment comparable to other spouses when it comes to receiving long-term care, such as care in a nursing home, under Medicaid. Federal law protects assets, such as a couple’s home, in the event that a married individual must receive nursing home care through Medicaid. In June 2011, CMS clarified that states have the flexibility to extend this protection to same-sex partners.
Secretary Sebelius has also strengthened internal policies at HHS to help ensure that LGBT individuals have equal access to HHS programs and employment opportunities. In April 2011 the Secretary issued a new policy explicitly requiring employees to serve all individuals eligible for HHS programs without regard to non-merit factors, including sexual orientation and gender identity. In addition, in March of 2011, the Secretary updated and clarified HHS’s equal employment policy – which already protected against unfair treatment based on a person’s sexual orientation – to also include gender identity and genetic information.
Stronger Resources to Improve LGBT Health and Well-Being
HHS has taken many steps to strengthen the health resources available to LGBT Americans over the first three years of the Obama Administration.
In 2010, HHS established the nation’s first national resource center for older LGBT individuals. This center, funded by the Administration on Aging (AoA), supports communities across the country as they aim to serve the estimated 1.5 to 4 million LGBT individuals who are 60 and older. The center provides information, assistance and resources for both aging services, LGBT organizations, and providers at the state and community level to assist them in the development and provision of culturally sensitive supports and services.
In July 2010, President Obama and Secretary Sebelius announced the National HIV/AIDS Strategy, a rigorous effort to increase access to care and lower the number of new HIV cases in the United States by 25 percent within the next five years. The strategy seeks to reduce HIV-related health disparities with a specific focus on high-risk populations, including certain LGBT populations.
In September 2010, HHS announced that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) allocated $30 million in new resources to support the National HIV/AIDS strategy. These funds, made available by the Affordable Care Act, are providing a boost to states and communities as they focus HIV prevention on high-risk populations. The funds are also helping fill critical gaps in data, knowledge, and understanding of the epidemic.
In September 2010, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) announced $42.6 million in new grants over a three-year period to provide behavioral health services in communities most impacted by HIV/AIDS. Funding for the “12 Cities” program will be used to develop and expand networks of primary care, HIV/AIDS and behavioral health service providers serving racial and ethnic minorities, including LGBT individuals, with or at high risk for HIV/AIDS.
In October 2010, the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) announced a $13.3 million grant to the Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Center over five years to help address barriers to permanency and well-being for LGBT foster youth, who are disproportionately represented in the foster care population. This is one of the largest federal grants to an organization that primarily serves LGBT communities.
In March 2011, HHS launched a new website – www.StopBullying.gov – which contains a dedicated section for LGBT youth. The site includes specific resources and assistance for LGBT youth, including examples of community groups that offer support and options to seek counseling. Secretary Sebelius also taped an “It Gets Better” video to address LGBT youth who have been bullied and are at risk of depression and suicide.
In June 2011, ACF announced the creation of a resource center to support resettlement of LGBT refugees who have faced persecution and discrimination in their home countries. The new center will provide resources to resettlement workers who are helping refugees assimilate in America in key locations, and provide training to staff on issues and needs specific to LGBT refugees.
In September 2011, the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) awarded $248,000 to create a National Training and Technical Assistance Center to help community health centers (CHCs) provide improved care for LGBT patients. The center will work in consultation with CHCs across the country – providing training for doctors, nurses, and other employees and developing health information resources specifically for LGBT patients. Additionally, SAMHSA is disseminating training curricula to help providers more effectively provide behavioral health services to LGBT Americans, in particular members of racial and ethnic minority populations.
Better Information on LGBT Health Needs
In June 2011, Secretary Sebelius announced HHS’ plans to greatly enhance the collection of health data on LGBT populations. Gathering data on LGBT individuals will help researchers, policy makers, health care providers, and advocates identify and address health disparities affecting the LGBT population.
Additionally, in March 2011, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) released a report commissioned by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) on the state of research and science regarding the health needs of LGBT people. The report provides the scientific community with the first comprehensive overview of health-related research on LGBT health issues – an important step in identifying research gaps and opportunities. To address the IOM’s recommendations, NIH formed an internal committee to review the report and determine how NIH can strengthen LGBT health research, and include LGBT Americans in clinical studies.
In October 2011, HRSA released Women’s Health USA 2011, the tenth edition of an annual data book identifying priorities, trends and disparities in women’s health. For the first time, this report features data on the health of lesbian and bisexual women. Among other things, the report found that health disparities exist by sexual orientation. The full report is available at: http://www.mchb.hrsa.gov/whusa11/.
Every ten years, HHS develops national, science-based objectives for promoting health and preventing disease for the following decade. In 2010, as part of this initiative – “Healthy People 2020” – for the first time, a formal workgroup was established to examine scientific literature on LGBT health. The workgroup will propose objectives regarding LGBT health as part of this comprehensive initiative.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Secretary Sebelius and the Department of Health and Human Services are committed to continuing these efforts, including by identifying ways to improve the health and well-being of LGBT Americans, and by coordinating the department’s activities around LGBT health.
More information on the department’s activities concerning LGBT health can be found at: http://www.hhs.gov/secretary/about/lgbthealth.html
Information on President Obama’s commitment to the LGBT community can be found at: http://www.whitehouse.gov/lgbt
Posted at http://www.hhs.gov/secretary/about/lgbthealth_update_2011.html
Reposted at http://www.keystothecloset.blogspot.com
Friday, November 11, 2011
Federal Report Shows Stark Health Disparities in Lesbian and Bisexual Women
The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) is including lesbian and bisexual women as a special population in the Women’s Health USA 2011 report for the first time ever. This annual data book identifies priorities, trends, and disparities in women’s health. “Women’s Health USA provides the public with a valuable resource for describing the status of women's health throughout the nation,” said HRSA Administrator Mary Wakefield, Ph.D., R.N. “By highlighting critical health issues affecting women, this volume draws attention to age, income and race and ethnic disparities in women’s health.”
The report acknowledges that the unique status and health needs of lesbians and bisexual women are shaped by sexual identity and behavior, as well as traditional factors like age, education, race, and ethnicity. The report suggests that lesbian and bisexual women are at increased risk for adverse health outcomes, including being overweight and obesity, poor mental health, substance abuse, violence, and barriers to accessing health care due to social and economic inequities. For example, lesbians reported receiving an annual gynecological check-up at half the rate of straight women despite reporting the same level of insurance coverage. Lesbians and bisexual women are also twice as likely to report smoking and binge drinking as opposed to their straight counterparts.
As a recent Institute of Medicine Report concluded, more data is needed to adequately identify and address the unique health needs and disparities in the LGBT population as a whole. HRC supports the development of this much needed data. HRC also recognizes that bias on the part of health care providers and fear of discrimination can intensify these health disparities and outcomes. Through HRC’s Healthcare Equality Index, we are working to improve this landscape and empower LGBT individuals to demand equal, quality health care.
Reposted at http://keystothecloset.blogspot.com
Posted at HRC blog at http://www.hrc.org/blog/entry/federal-report-shows-stark-health-disparities-in-lesbian-and-bisexual-women?utm_source=Convio&utm_medium=email&utm_term=News-link-3&utm_campaign=HRCnews-November-2011
The report acknowledges that the unique status and health needs of lesbians and bisexual women are shaped by sexual identity and behavior, as well as traditional factors like age, education, race, and ethnicity. The report suggests that lesbian and bisexual women are at increased risk for adverse health outcomes, including being overweight and obesity, poor mental health, substance abuse, violence, and barriers to accessing health care due to social and economic inequities. For example, lesbians reported receiving an annual gynecological check-up at half the rate of straight women despite reporting the same level of insurance coverage. Lesbians and bisexual women are also twice as likely to report smoking and binge drinking as opposed to their straight counterparts.
As a recent Institute of Medicine Report concluded, more data is needed to adequately identify and address the unique health needs and disparities in the LGBT population as a whole. HRC supports the development of this much needed data. HRC also recognizes that bias on the part of health care providers and fear of discrimination can intensify these health disparities and outcomes. Through HRC’s Healthcare Equality Index, we are working to improve this landscape and empower LGBT individuals to demand equal, quality health care.
Reposted at http://keystothecloset.blogspot.com
Posted at HRC blog at http://www.hrc.org/blog/entry/federal-report-shows-stark-health-disparities-in-lesbian-and-bisexual-women?utm_source=Convio&utm_medium=email&utm_term=News-link-3&utm_campaign=HRCnews-November-2011
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
BREAKING – Joint Commission Releases Historic Field Guide on LGBT Health Care
Posted on November 8, 2011 by The Network for LGBT Health Equity
Daniella Matthews-Trigg, Program Associate
Exciting News, Joint Commission Releases New Guide to LGBT Health!
Drum roll, please…
Today the Joint Commission released a historic guide to LGBT health disparities: Advancing Effective Communication, Cultural Competence, and Patient-and Family-Centered Care for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Community: A Field Guide.
The Joint Commission, the organization responsible for accrediting Health centers and Hospitals, has a history of going above and beyond for LGBT rights. If you may remember, last July the Joint Commission started to require that all hospitals have LGBT non discriminations policies in order to maintain their accreditation. This new guide is their most recent commitment to the health and well-being of our community.
The Field Guide is designed to help hospitals and health centers provide better, more culturally competent care for LGBT patients and their families. It focuses on identifying areas that need improvement, as well as provides resources and information to “strengthen outreach efforts to the LGBT community”. Additionally, the field guide can be used as an educational tool for training staff, and for “compliance efforts related to laws, regulations and standards”.
The Network is so excited to have been involved in the creation of this important resource, and we want to thank all of you for your suggestions and responses to our action alert related to the guide.
United we spoke, and our voices were heard… Let’s all keep up the good work!
For an expanded read, check out posting link at
http://lgbthealthequity.wordpress.com/2011/11/08/breaking-joint-commission-releases-historic-field-guide-on-lgbt-health-care/. Reposted at keystothecloset.blogspot.com
Daniella Matthews-Trigg, Program Associate
Exciting News, Joint Commission Releases New Guide to LGBT Health!
Drum roll, please…
Today the Joint Commission released a historic guide to LGBT health disparities: Advancing Effective Communication, Cultural Competence, and Patient-and Family-Centered Care for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Community: A Field Guide.
The Joint Commission, the organization responsible for accrediting Health centers and Hospitals, has a history of going above and beyond for LGBT rights. If you may remember, last July the Joint Commission started to require that all hospitals have LGBT non discriminations policies in order to maintain their accreditation. This new guide is their most recent commitment to the health and well-being of our community.
The Field Guide is designed to help hospitals and health centers provide better, more culturally competent care for LGBT patients and their families. It focuses on identifying areas that need improvement, as well as provides resources and information to “strengthen outreach efforts to the LGBT community”. Additionally, the field guide can be used as an educational tool for training staff, and for “compliance efforts related to laws, regulations and standards”.
The Network is so excited to have been involved in the creation of this important resource, and we want to thank all of you for your suggestions and responses to our action alert related to the guide.
United we spoke, and our voices were heard… Let’s all keep up the good work!
For an expanded read, check out posting link at
http://lgbthealthequity.wordpress.com/2011/11/08/breaking-joint-commission-releases-historic-field-guide-on-lgbt-health-care/. Reposted at keystothecloset.blogspot.com
Friday, September 9, 2011
Surveys Shows LGBT Curriculum Lacking in Medical Schools
Medical students get only 5 hours of education on LGBT health and a third of medical schools reported no LGBT content was taught during clinical years, according to an article published Wednesday in the Journal of the American Medical Association. The article was based on a survey of LGBT curriculum in medical schools conducted by the Medical Education Research Group, which will present its findings at the 2011 GLMA Annual Conference in Atlanta later this month. GLMA Executive Director Hector Vargas was quoted in a Huffington Post article on the survey.
GLMA has long advocated for training of health professionals and students that addresses the specific health needs LGBT patient populations. GLMA has consistently worked to ensure that LGBT cultural competency training, including information about health disparities, is a standard component of all health professional training curricula. GLMA’s Medical Education Project, which convened experts in LGBT medical education last year, will be publishing a set of “effective practices” to provide resource information for schools considering revisions in and changes to current curriculum, policies, procedures and programs related to LGBT health.
GLMA has long advocated for training of health professionals and students that addresses the specific health needs LGBT patient populations. GLMA has consistently worked to ensure that LGBT cultural competency training, including information about health disparities, is a standard component of all health professional training curricula. GLMA’s Medical Education Project, which convened experts in LGBT medical education last year, will be publishing a set of “effective practices” to provide resource information for schools considering revisions in and changes to current curriculum, policies, procedures and programs related to LGBT health.
Friday, July 1, 2011
National Coalition for LGBT Health and National Gay and Lesbian Task Force applaud inclusion of sexual orientation and gender identity in HHS National Health Interview Survey
Washington, June 29 - The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force and the National Coalition for LGBT Health applaud the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for outlining an action plan to improve health data collection for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) individuals. Today's announcement is an important step forward in the effort to better address the health needs of the LGBT community. The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force and the National Coalition for LGBT Health will track the process closely as data collection efforts progress.
Data collection that tracks the health status and experiences of LGBT individuals is essential because such data provide government agencies and community-based health care workers with information about how to offer the best health services for LGBT individuals and communities. It also will document and address health disparities experienced by LGBT people.
HHS unveiled a plan that will allow the department to more fully count and track the health of LGBT individuals by collecting and reporting sexual orientation and gender identity data on the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS). The plan establishes a timeline, including benchmarks along the way, for ensuring that sexual orientation and gender identity questions are added to the NHIS survey. This process includes field testing existing questions on sexual orientation as well as developing and field testing gender identity questions with the assistance of leading researchers in the field of LGBT data collection.
Hutson W. Inniss, executive director of the National Coalition for LGBT Health, says, "This is a historic day for the field of LGBT health. At the National Coalition for LGBT Health, we have been working with our members to advocate for such progress and develop tools that can be used on these surveys. We know that LGBT individuals experience unique health disparities, and tracking this data on the national level will be a remarkable step forward to documenting and identifying ways to reduce the disparities that LGBT people face."
Rea Carey, executive director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, says, "This announcement represents a huge step forward for addressing the health care needs of LGBT people in this country. Data collection is essential for establishing programs that address the needs of the LGBT community in the area of health and elsewhere. The Task Force, through the New Beginning Initiative, has been advocating for data collection around sexual orientation and gender identity on all sorts of federal surveys because if they don't count us, we're virtually invisible to the federal government. We look forward to supporting HHS as this process moves ahead."
Data collection in health surveys and in other contexts has been a key priority for the New Beginning Initiative, a coalition of expert organizations convened by the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force working to advance LGBT policy priorities in federal administrative agencies. The National Coalition for LGBT Health has led the efforts of the New Beginning Initiative to have sexual orientation and gender identity data collected on federal and state surveys, and this announcement marks a breakthrough victory in this effort.
To learn more about the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, visit www.theTaskForce.org and follow us on Twitter: @TheTaskForce (http://www.twitter.com/thetaskforce).
Reposted at keystothecloset@blogspot.com
Data collection that tracks the health status and experiences of LGBT individuals is essential because such data provide government agencies and community-based health care workers with information about how to offer the best health services for LGBT individuals and communities. It also will document and address health disparities experienced by LGBT people.
HHS unveiled a plan that will allow the department to more fully count and track the health of LGBT individuals by collecting and reporting sexual orientation and gender identity data on the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS). The plan establishes a timeline, including benchmarks along the way, for ensuring that sexual orientation and gender identity questions are added to the NHIS survey. This process includes field testing existing questions on sexual orientation as well as developing and field testing gender identity questions with the assistance of leading researchers in the field of LGBT data collection.
Hutson W. Inniss, executive director of the National Coalition for LGBT Health, says, "This is a historic day for the field of LGBT health. At the National Coalition for LGBT Health, we have been working with our members to advocate for such progress and develop tools that can be used on these surveys. We know that LGBT individuals experience unique health disparities, and tracking this data on the national level will be a remarkable step forward to documenting and identifying ways to reduce the disparities that LGBT people face."
Rea Carey, executive director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, says, "This announcement represents a huge step forward for addressing the health care needs of LGBT people in this country. Data collection is essential for establishing programs that address the needs of the LGBT community in the area of health and elsewhere. The Task Force, through the New Beginning Initiative, has been advocating for data collection around sexual orientation and gender identity on all sorts of federal surveys because if they don't count us, we're virtually invisible to the federal government. We look forward to supporting HHS as this process moves ahead."
Data collection in health surveys and in other contexts has been a key priority for the New Beginning Initiative, a coalition of expert organizations convened by the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force working to advance LGBT policy priorities in federal administrative agencies. The National Coalition for LGBT Health has led the efforts of the New Beginning Initiative to have sexual orientation and gender identity data collected on federal and state surveys, and this announcement marks a breakthrough victory in this effort.
To learn more about the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, visit www.theTaskForce.org and follow us on Twitter: @TheTaskForce (http://www.twitter.com/thetaskforce).
Reposted at keystothecloset@blogspot.com
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Gay teens more likely to engage in risky behaviors: study
ATLANTA | Mon Jun 6, 2011 5:50pm EDT
(Reuters) - Gay, lesbian and bisexual high school students are more likely than heterosexual students to engage in such risky behavior as smoking, drinking alcohol and carrying guns, a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found.
"This report should be a wake-up call for families, schools and communities that we need to do a much better job of supporting these young people," said Howell Wechsler, director of the CDC's Division of Adolescent and School Heath.
"We are very concerned that these students face such dramatic disparities for so many different health risks."
The study, which surveyed 156,000 high school students and was released on Monday, is the largest of its kind by the federal government.
Researchers analyzed data from student surveys conducted from 2001-2009 in Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Vermont and Wisconsin, and also in the Boston, Chicago, Milwaukee, New York City, San Diego and San Francisco school districts.
When asked if they had driven a car while drinking alcohol within the last 30 days, 15.4 percent of gay and lesbian students responded "yes," compared to 7.8 percent of heterosexual students.
The gap was even greater on whether students had carried a gun at least one day during the previous month. About 12 percent of gay and lesbian students said they had carried a gun, almost four times more than heterosexual students.
There also was a large disparity with cigarette smoking, with 27.8 percent of gay and lesbian students reporting they had smoked more than 10 cigarettes in a day during the previous month compared to 9.1 percent of heterosexual students.
Gay and lesbian students were much more likely to have seriously contemplated suicide, the study found. Nearly 30 percent of those students said they had considered suicide compared to 11.7 percent of heterosexual students.
The study results quantify what advocates say they have long known anecdotally.
Gay, lesbian and bisexual youths are often driven to risky behavior because they are rejected by their families and other support groups, said Laura McGinnis, spokeswoman for the Trevor Project, a national organization that provides crisis counseling and suicide prevention programs for youths.
"We've known this for years but the research hasn't been there to back it up," she said.
She said the new data should help increase the awareness of policymakers and lead to more training for school staff members.
Wechsler said efforts to promote adolescent health and safety should take into account the "additional stressors these youth experience because of their sexual orientation, such as stigma, discrimination, and victimization."
(Editing by Colleen Jenkins and Jerry Norton
(Reuters) - Gay, lesbian and bisexual high school students are more likely than heterosexual students to engage in such risky behavior as smoking, drinking alcohol and carrying guns, a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found.
"This report should be a wake-up call for families, schools and communities that we need to do a much better job of supporting these young people," said Howell Wechsler, director of the CDC's Division of Adolescent and School Heath.
"We are very concerned that these students face such dramatic disparities for so many different health risks."
The study, which surveyed 156,000 high school students and was released on Monday, is the largest of its kind by the federal government.
Researchers analyzed data from student surveys conducted from 2001-2009 in Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Vermont and Wisconsin, and also in the Boston, Chicago, Milwaukee, New York City, San Diego and San Francisco school districts.
When asked if they had driven a car while drinking alcohol within the last 30 days, 15.4 percent of gay and lesbian students responded "yes," compared to 7.8 percent of heterosexual students.
The gap was even greater on whether students had carried a gun at least one day during the previous month. About 12 percent of gay and lesbian students said they had carried a gun, almost four times more than heterosexual students.
There also was a large disparity with cigarette smoking, with 27.8 percent of gay and lesbian students reporting they had smoked more than 10 cigarettes in a day during the previous month compared to 9.1 percent of heterosexual students.
Gay and lesbian students were much more likely to have seriously contemplated suicide, the study found. Nearly 30 percent of those students said they had considered suicide compared to 11.7 percent of heterosexual students.
The study results quantify what advocates say they have long known anecdotally.
Gay, lesbian and bisexual youths are often driven to risky behavior because they are rejected by their families and other support groups, said Laura McGinnis, spokeswoman for the Trevor Project, a national organization that provides crisis counseling and suicide prevention programs for youths.
"We've known this for years but the research hasn't been there to back it up," she said.
She said the new data should help increase the awareness of policymakers and lead to more training for school staff members.
Wechsler said efforts to promote adolescent health and safety should take into account the "additional stressors these youth experience because of their sexual orientation, such as stigma, discrimination, and victimization."
(Editing by Colleen Jenkins and Jerry Norton
Monday, May 16, 2011
Study: Gay Men Are Twice as Likely to Have Cancer
By Meredith Melnick Monday, May 9, 2011 Time
Reposted at keystothecloset.blogspot.com
It makes for a grabby headline, but are gay men really more likely to develop cancer? A new study published in the journal Cancer found that gay men were nearly twice as likely to report a diagnosis of cancer than straight men. But why?
The study did not answer that question. It's not clear, for instance, whether gay men were more likely to develop cancer than straight men, whether they were more likely to be diagnosed, or whether they more likely to survive and report it.
Similar data in women found no difference in cancer rates by sexual orientation; however, the study did find that lesbian and bisexual cancer survivors were more likely to self-report poor or fair health than heterosexual women. Self-reported health status did not differ by sexual orientation in men.
Researchers led by Ulrike Boehmer of the Boston University School of Public Health analyzed three years of data on more than 120,000 adults who filled out the California Health Interview survey. Among other questions, the respondents were asked about their sexual orientation and whether they had ever been diagnosed with cancer.
Out of 51,000 men, about 3,690 reported having had cancer: they accounted for 8% of gay men and 5% of straight men; the increase in risk in gay men was not attributable to other factors like race, income level or age.
Among 71,000 women, 7,252 reported a cancer diagnosis, but the rate of diagnosis was the same regardless of sexual orientation. But women who identified as lesbian or bisexual were more than twice as likely to report fair or poor health than straight women after surviving cancer.
Again, the study didn't delve into the reasons for the disparities in rates of cancer diagnosis, but the authors said the gay community is more vulnerable to certain cancer risk factors. For instance, both gay men and lesbian women are more likely to smoke and abuse alcohol than their straight peers — these are known contributors to cancer.
Gays and lesbians are also less likely to get routine cancer screening and check-ups because of perceived discrimination from doctors, said Liz Margolies, executive director of the National LGBT Cancer Network.
The higher rates of HIV infection in gay men than in straight men could also help explain the difference: HIV-positive patients have a higher risk of anal, lung and testicular cancers and Hodgkin's lymphoma (HIV status was outside the scope of the study, however).
Another factor that may affect health in the LGBT community is "minority stress," lead author Boehmer said, referring to the psychological strain endured by minority groups as a result of prejudice or discrimination. MyHealthNewsDaily reported:
"It's been my experience that the lower quality of life that lesbians report after a cancer diagnosis does not reveal as much about the particular diagnosis, but more about our life experience in general, particularly when confronting a major life crisis" like a cancer diagnosis, a relationship change or a job loss, said Linda Ellis, executive director of the Atlanta Lesbian Health Initiative in Georgia, who was not involved with the study.
It's not that lesbian or bisexual women walk around more depressed than their straight peers, Ellis said. But coming out to each new person, whether it's the new nurse in the chemo clinic or the members of the cancer support group, takes a lot of energy, she said. ... In addition, it's not unusual for lesbian or bisexual women to have severed ties with family, so a person's natural circle of support may be weakened, she said.
The current was not designed to measure potential contributors to cancer and health risks in the LGBT community. But the findings suggest that public-health officials need to pay more attention to the gay, lesbian and bisexual population — particularly when it comes to cancer prevention and screening.
In April, an Institute of Medicine report proposed including sexual orientation information in medical records and in government studies as a way to increase understanding of the health risks that may be particular to the gay and lesbian community.
"At a time when lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals — often referred to under the umbrella acronym LGBT — are becoming more visible in society and more socially acknowledged, clinicians and researchers are faced with incomplete information about their health status," said the report.
Read more: http://healthland.time.com/2011/05/09/study-gay-men-are-twice-as-likely-to-have-cancer/#ixzz1MXYnflls
Reposted at keystothecloset.blogspot.com
It makes for a grabby headline, but are gay men really more likely to develop cancer? A new study published in the journal Cancer found that gay men were nearly twice as likely to report a diagnosis of cancer than straight men. But why?
The study did not answer that question. It's not clear, for instance, whether gay men were more likely to develop cancer than straight men, whether they were more likely to be diagnosed, or whether they more likely to survive and report it.
Similar data in women found no difference in cancer rates by sexual orientation; however, the study did find that lesbian and bisexual cancer survivors were more likely to self-report poor or fair health than heterosexual women. Self-reported health status did not differ by sexual orientation in men.
Researchers led by Ulrike Boehmer of the Boston University School of Public Health analyzed three years of data on more than 120,000 adults who filled out the California Health Interview survey. Among other questions, the respondents were asked about their sexual orientation and whether they had ever been diagnosed with cancer.
Out of 51,000 men, about 3,690 reported having had cancer: they accounted for 8% of gay men and 5% of straight men; the increase in risk in gay men was not attributable to other factors like race, income level or age.
Among 71,000 women, 7,252 reported a cancer diagnosis, but the rate of diagnosis was the same regardless of sexual orientation. But women who identified as lesbian or bisexual were more than twice as likely to report fair or poor health than straight women after surviving cancer.
Again, the study didn't delve into the reasons for the disparities in rates of cancer diagnosis, but the authors said the gay community is more vulnerable to certain cancer risk factors. For instance, both gay men and lesbian women are more likely to smoke and abuse alcohol than their straight peers — these are known contributors to cancer.
Gays and lesbians are also less likely to get routine cancer screening and check-ups because of perceived discrimination from doctors, said Liz Margolies, executive director of the National LGBT Cancer Network.
The higher rates of HIV infection in gay men than in straight men could also help explain the difference: HIV-positive patients have a higher risk of anal, lung and testicular cancers and Hodgkin's lymphoma (HIV status was outside the scope of the study, however).
Another factor that may affect health in the LGBT community is "minority stress," lead author Boehmer said, referring to the psychological strain endured by minority groups as a result of prejudice or discrimination. MyHealthNewsDaily reported:
"It's been my experience that the lower quality of life that lesbians report after a cancer diagnosis does not reveal as much about the particular diagnosis, but more about our life experience in general, particularly when confronting a major life crisis" like a cancer diagnosis, a relationship change or a job loss, said Linda Ellis, executive director of the Atlanta Lesbian Health Initiative in Georgia, who was not involved with the study.
It's not that lesbian or bisexual women walk around more depressed than their straight peers, Ellis said. But coming out to each new person, whether it's the new nurse in the chemo clinic or the members of the cancer support group, takes a lot of energy, she said. ... In addition, it's not unusual for lesbian or bisexual women to have severed ties with family, so a person's natural circle of support may be weakened, she said.
The current was not designed to measure potential contributors to cancer and health risks in the LGBT community. But the findings suggest that public-health officials need to pay more attention to the gay, lesbian and bisexual population — particularly when it comes to cancer prevention and screening.
In April, an Institute of Medicine report proposed including sexual orientation information in medical records and in government studies as a way to increase understanding of the health risks that may be particular to the gay and lesbian community.
"At a time when lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals — often referred to under the umbrella acronym LGBT — are becoming more visible in society and more socially acknowledged, clinicians and researchers are faced with incomplete information about their health status," said the report.
Read more: http://healthland.time.com/2011/05/09/study-gay-men-are-twice-as-likely-to-have-cancer/#ixzz1MXYnflls
Thursday, April 14, 2011
National Coalition and Center for American Progress Release New Report, Changing the Game: What Health Care Reform Means for LGBT Americans
The National Coalition for LGBT Health and the Center for American Progress marked LGBT Health Awareness Week with the release of Changing the Game: What Health Care Reform Means for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Americans.
The report provides an overview of the health disparities experienced by LGBT people, followed by a brief discussion of several provisions of the Affordable Care Act that hold particular promise for improving the health and well-being of the LGBT community. The report continues into an investigation of four major areas where efforts by LGBT advocates and their allies in each state will be key to ensuring that the new health law delivers the largest possible positive results for the LGBT community when the law is fully implemented by 2014. These areas are achieving comprehensive nondiscrimination protections in health insurance exchanges, establishing LGBT-inclusive data collection policies, recognizing and including LGBT families in all health reform activities, and supporting community-based health interventions that are LGBT-inclusive.
Find out what’s happening in your state around health care reform and join the conversation! Go to http://lgbthealth.webolutionary.com/home
First posted in email from National Coalition for LGBT Health, reposted at http://keystothecloset.blogspot.com/
The report provides an overview of the health disparities experienced by LGBT people, followed by a brief discussion of several provisions of the Affordable Care Act that hold particular promise for improving the health and well-being of the LGBT community. The report continues into an investigation of four major areas where efforts by LGBT advocates and their allies in each state will be key to ensuring that the new health law delivers the largest possible positive results for the LGBT community when the law is fully implemented by 2014. These areas are achieving comprehensive nondiscrimination protections in health insurance exchanges, establishing LGBT-inclusive data collection policies, recognizing and including LGBT families in all health reform activities, and supporting community-based health interventions that are LGBT-inclusive.
Find out what’s happening in your state around health care reform and join the conversation! Go to http://lgbthealth.webolutionary.com/home
First posted in email from National Coalition for LGBT Health, reposted at http://keystothecloset.blogspot.com/
Monday, April 11, 2011
Disparities: Illness More Prevalent Among Older Gay Adults
By RONI CARYN RABIN Published: April 1, 2011
Older lesbian, gay and bisexual adults in California
Related :U.S. Panel Suggests Research Into Causes and Prevalence of Health Issues Facing Gays (April 1, 2011)
The research brief was based on data from the California Health Interview Survey gathered in 2003, 2005 and 2007 by the Center for Health Policy Research at the University of California, Los Angeles.
Older gay and bisexual men — ages 50 to 70 — reported higher rates of high blood pressure, diabetes and physical disability than similar heterosexual men. Older gay and bisexual men also were 45 percent more likely to report psychological distress and 50 percent more likely to rate their health as fair or poor. In addition, one in five gay men in California
Older lesbian and bisexual women experienced similar rates of diabetes and hypertension compared with straight women of their age, but reported significantly more physical disabilities and psychological distress and were 26 percent more likely to say their health was fair or poor.
More than one in four lived alone, compared with only one in five heterosexual women.
Steven P. Wallace, associate director of the U.C.L.A. Center for Health Policy Research and lead author of the brief, said it was important to raise awareness of these disparities. “The gay culture tends to be youth-driven, and the aging community network doesn’t usually think about gay and lesbian elders,” he said.
A version of this article appeared in print on April 5, 2011, on page D7 of the New York
Friday, April 1, 2011
IOM REport Published
The Health of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender People: Building a Foundation for Better Understanding
- Released:
- March 31, 2011
- Type:
- Consensus Report
- Topics:
- Select Populations and Health Disparities, Biomedical and Health Research, Health Services, Coverage, and Access
- Activity:
- Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Health Issues and Research Gaps and Opportunities
- Board:
- Board on the Health of Select Populations
At a time when lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals—often referred to under the umbrella acronym LGBT—are becoming more visible in society and more socially acknowledged, clinicians and researchers are faced with incomplete information about their health status. While LGBT populations often are combined as a single entity for research and advocacy purposes, each is a distinct population group with its own specific health needs. Furthermore, the experiences of LGBT individuals are not uniform and are shaped by factors of race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, geographical location, and age, any of which can have an effect on health-related concerns and needs. Researchers still have a great deal to learn and face a number of challenges in understanding the health needs of LGBT populations.
To help assess the state of the science, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) asked the IOM to evaluate current knowledge of the health status of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender populations; to identify research gaps and opportunities; and to outline a research agenda to help NIH focus its research in this area. The IOM finds that to advance understanding of the health needs of all LGBT individuals, researchers need more data about the demographics of these populations, improved methods for collecting and analyzing data, and an increased participation of sexual and gender minorities in research. Building a more solid evidence base for LGBT health concerns will not only benefit LGBT individuals, but also add to the repository of health information we have that pertains to all people.
Available at http://www.iom.edu/Reports/2011/The-Health-of-Lesbian-Gay-Bisexual-and-Transgender-People.aspx Reposted at http://keystothecloset.blogspot.com/
To help assess the state of the science, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) asked the IOM to evaluate current knowledge of the health status of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender populations; to identify research gaps and opportunities; and to outline a research agenda to help NIH focus its research in this area. The IOM finds that to advance understanding of the health needs of all LGBT individuals, researchers need more data about the demographics of these populations, improved methods for collecting and analyzing data, and an increased participation of sexual and gender minorities in research. Building a more solid evidence base for LGBT health concerns will not only benefit LGBT individuals, but also add to the repository of health information we have that pertains to all people.
Available at http://www.iom.edu/Reports/2011/The-Health-of-Lesbian-Gay-Bisexual-and-Transgender-People.aspx Reposted at http://keystothecloset.blogspot.com/
Closing Gaps in Healthcare for Our Community: Op-Ed on IOM Report on LGBT Health
by Scout, PhDNetwork DirectorOp-ed by Scout Crossposted from the Washington Blade: “Closing Gaps in Healthcare for Our Community“, March 31, 2011“Don’t ever call an ambulance for me. I don’t care if I get hit by a car, let me die on the street. Just do not call an ambulance,” Arlene admonished me. I’d heard the horror story about the last time she went to a hospital so I couldn’t really blame her, but still, it was sad. No one should fear the medical system. But Arlene, like many other transgender people, has a learned and warranted fear of the medical system. Yet fear of the medical system isn’t the only problem out there.
As a cultural competency trainer, I know the stats all too well. Doctors and nurses feel free to openly express their personal disdain for LGBT people. Far from being a helping profession for us, accessing healthcare can be a minefield where political ideologies and personal prejudices trump the Hippocratic oath.
And while discrimination can be deadly, it is the more often the widespread ignorance that more often hurts us. Does a doctor know how to prescribe hormones for a transgender person? Have intake forms that don’t alienate LGBT people by asking about marriage? Have trained front-line staff who know to treat all with respect? Do the staff understand what health problems are more common for LGBT people? Do health care providers understand how to talk to us without stumbling and steering awkwardly clear of any issues of sexual orientation or gender identity? Lots of questions. And our community deserves not answers but solutions.
Well, I’m happy to say that this week the federal government made a major stride in both acknowledging and prioritizing LGBT health disparities. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services released the historic Institute of Medicine Report on LGBT Health. The Institute of Medicine imprimatur carries the highest regard among health professionals, so the mere existence of this report is a great step forward in prioritizing our health disparities. The report reviews the highest level of science available about our health disparities and makes strong suggestions for action at every level.
One of the most important suggestions is the simplest, count us. When the Census or health surveys don’t ask who is LGBT, it’s like locking us in the closet. It effectively hides our lives and all evidence of the disparities we struggle against. This is one simple step that LGBT advocates have been asking for ages and it is too long overdue.
I applaud the National Institutes of Health for commissioning this prestigious and comprehensive study, for not leaving transgender people behind, for taking due care to ferret out as much information as possible on LGBT communities of color. Each of these actions is a great stride. As the director of the Network for LGBT Health Equity I’ve been advocating for LGBT inclusion in health policy for many years, so trust me when I say, this is a truly historic moment.
But there is much to do. I think of my vulnerable young queer nephew and cousin. I don’t want them to take the path I did, and try to commit suicide. But I can see their isolation, I know how they struggle to find people who accept them. It’s going to take a lot to change their reality. So, at the end of the day we must remember this Institute of Medicine Report on LGBT health is just a book. The real change will come when federal officials, policymakers and medical providers take this book off their shelf and turn it into action. Action that cannot come a moment too soon.
Scout is the director of the Network for LGBT Health Equity at The Fenway Institute. A longtime LGBT activist, Scout is an openly transgender person living in a small town in Rhode Island and struggling to get his three kids through the trials of being a teenager.
Rep. Baldwin To Reintroduce Bill Ending Healthcare Disparity for LGBT Americans
03/31/11-by Bridgette P. LaVictoire Posted at http://lezgetreal.com/2011/03/rep-baldwin-to-reintroduce-bill-ending-healthcare-disparity-for-lgbt-americans/ Reposted at http://keystothecloset.blogspot.com/,
That there are health care discrepancies between LGBT Americans and everyone else is something that is not new, nor is the fact that healthcare providers are not really aware of that fact, but a push has been made by Representative Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin to try and rectify that. She recently congratulated the National Academies’Institute of Medicine
“For years, in Congressional hearings, briefings, and meetings, I have asked our national health policy officials and medical experts, ‘What do you know about LGBT health?’ Only to hear, ‘I have to get back to you.’ Today, we’ve gotten a well-researched and most welcome response. I am delighted that after years of advocating for more attention to LGBT health disparities, IOM’s report will bring us closer to the goal of promoting good health for all Americans.”
Baldwin has long advocated, is to start collecting data on LGBT Americans in order to begin identifying and addressing LGBT health disparities.
Baldwin intends to reintroduce the Ending LGBT Health Disparities Act in order to build upon the report’s recommendations. It should be noted, however, that it is unlikely that the bill will get through the House due to the Republican majority.
That there are health care discrepancies between LGBT Americans and everyone else is something that is not new, nor is the fact that healthcare providers are not really aware of that fact, but a push has been made by Representative Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin to try and rectify that. She recently congratulated the National Academies’
Baldwin, who is openly lesbian, is a member of the House Health Subcommittee, and Co-Chair of the LGBT Equality Caucus. With regards to this, she stated
She also said:
“We can’t overcome LGBT health disparities until we know what those disparities are and where they exist. Once we have solid data, the proper responses will follow. I look forward to working with my colleagues in Congress and at the Department of Health and Human Services to implement the recommendations of the IOM report.”The press release also noted:
In these types of reports, the IOM and the National Institutes of Health typically look at existing medical research and identify gaps in research that need to be filled. In their work to assess the health of LGBT Americans, the IOM report finds that there simply isn’t enough basic research to identify gaps. Its first recommendation, one that
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