Health Care Disparities in LGBTQ

Sample Answer

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) persons fall under sexual and gender minorities. This group of individuals encompasses all races and live all over the world and their identities are complex and multilayered and have a great impact on their health and well-being. However, they are more predisposed to health inequalities secondary to heterosexism, discrimination, and victimization (Bristowe et al., 2018).

Inequalities range from disability, age, gender, and income among others and contributes to the high incidence of disease and death rates in this community. These factors also play a critical role in their intersection with health and as such also contribute to inequities experienced (Bristowe et al., 2018). However, there exists a gap in the research to understand how these factors influence inequity. therefore, more research to understand the intersections of these factors in contributing to inequality will help the formulation of better solutions to reduce the health inequalities observed.

Changes or improvements in policy surrounding health delivery are another strategy to minimize inequalities. Improvement of existing policies to ensure that members of LGBTQ are assured of health services free of discrimination by healthcare workers. Healthcare professionals need to be at the forefront of advocacy for changes in policy to ensure the inclusion of the LGBTQ (Hughes et al., 2022).

Additionally, there is a need for training among healthcare workers to ensure they gain skills on how to care for persons from diverse groups including the LGBTQ (Hughes et al., 2022). They should also be taught on sexuality, gender diversity, bullying and suicide prevention thus providing a safe space for the LQBTQ community. Furthermore, healthcare workers need to collaborate with members of the community and family members to identify and address any healthcare barriers that they may experience.

This will also give the community a chance to learn more about sexual orientation and gender identity encouraging respect and eliminating stigma.Policies should also be put in place to ensure that LGBTQ members get access to health insurance as it has been proven that their access to insurance is lower compared to the heterosexual population. A hands-on approach is necessary to improve the situation.

Studies reveal that sexual and gender minorities tend to experience a higher rate of health issues while experiencing health inequalities (Zeeman et al., 2019). To improve the situation, improved knowledge via research, training and advocacy, change in policies, and structural changes, health services to the LGBTQ can potentially become equally accessible and inclusive for all. Through structural change combined with increased knowledge and understanding, services can potentially become more inclusive and equally accessible to all.

References

• Bristowe, K., Hodson, M., Wee, B., Almack, K., Johnson, K., Daveson, B. A., … & Harding, R. (2018). Recommendations to reduce inequalities for LGBT people facing advanced illness ACCESSCare national qualitative interview study. Palliative Medicine, 32(1), 23-35. https //journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0269216317705102
• Hughes, T. L., Jackman, K., Dorsen, C., Arslanian-Engoren, C., Ghazal, L., Christenberry-Deceased, T., … & Walker, R. (2022). How can the nursing profession help reduce sexual and gender minority related health disparities Recommendations from the national nursing LGBTQ health summit. Nursing outlook, 70(3), 513-524. https //www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0029655422000136
• Zeeman, L., Sherriff, N., Browne, K., McGlynn, N., Mirandola, M., Gios, L., … & Health4LGBTI Network Taibjee Rafik Toskin Igor Jonas Kai van Der Veur Dennis Allen Odhrán Troussier Thierry De Sutter Petra. (2019). A review of lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and intersex (LGBTI) health and healthcare inequalities. European journal of public health, 29(5), 974-980. https //academic.oup.com/eurpub/article-abstract/29/5/974/5151209