LGBTQ Health and Health Disparities

Health Equity exists when all people have a fair and just opportunity to be healthy – especially those who have experienced socioeconomic disadvantage, historical injustice, and other avoidable systemic inequalities that are often associated with social categories of race, gender, ethnicity, social position, sexual orientation and disability.”

Understanding LGBT Health

In order to effectively address LGBT health issues, we need to securely and consistently collect Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity (SOGI) information in national surveys and health records. This will allow researchers and policy makers to accurately characterize LGBT health and disparities.

Understanding LGBT health starts with understanding the history of oppression and discrimination that these communities have faced. For example, in part because bars and clubs were often the only safe places where LGBT individuals could gather, alcohol abuse has been an ongoing problem.

Social determinants affecting the health of LGBT individuals largely relate to oppression and discrimination. Examples include:

Legal discrimination in access to health insurance, employment, housing, marriage, adoption, and retirement benefits
Lack of laws protecting against bullying in schools
Lack of social programs targeted to and/or appropriate for LGBT youth, adults, and elders
Shortage of health care providers who are knowledgeable and culturally competent in LGBT health

The physical environment that contributes to healthy LGBT individuals includes:

Safe schools, neighborhoods, and housing
Access to recreational facilities and activities
Availability of safe meeting places
Access to health services

LGBT health requires specific attention from health care and public health professionals to address a number of disparities, including:

LGBT youth are 2 to 3 times more likely to attempt suicide.
LGBT youth are more likely to be homeless.
Lesbians are less likely to get preventive services for cancer.
Gay men are at higher risk of HIV and other STDs, especially among communities of color.
Lesbians and bisexual females are more likely to be overweight or obese.
Transgender individuals have a high prevalence of HIV/STDs, victimization, mental health issues, and suicide and are less likely to have health insurance than heterosexual or LGB individuals.
Elderly LGBT individuals face additional barriers to health because of isolation and a lack of social services and culturally competent providers.
LGBT populations have the highest rates of tobacco, alcohol, and other drug use.

Reading and Resources

Oppression, marginalization and discrimination against LGBTQ persons creates barriers to being financially secure, mentally healthy, physically healthy, well-housed and well-nourished. Below are some resources and information about some of these barriers as well as strategies that can help.