Quality Health Care and the LGBT Community

LGBT people often face financial, personal and cultural barriers when attempting to access health care. Fearing discrimination, we often withhold personal information about our sexual orientation, gender identity, sexual practices and behavioral risks from our doctors. As many of us know, there is a lack of knowledge about LGBT health among health care planners and providers.

These problems are compounded because:

• LGBT people are at increased risk for certain forms of cancers (including lung, cervical, breast, and anal cancer) due to an increased rate of smoking, and inadequate risk assessment and medical screenings.

• LGBT people have increased risk of stress-related mental health problems and substance abuse.

• LGBT couples are at a disadvantage in obtaining medical insurance since many insurance companies and employers do not provide domestic partnership benefits.

• Older LGBT people in same-sex relationships are at high risk of economic devastation due to an absence of Medicaid benefits afforded to legalized partners.

Here are some things that you can do to upgrade the quality of your health care:

• Be proactive! Test for HIV. Men should screen for prostate and anal cancer. Women should screen for cervical and breast cancer. If you smoke, cut down or quit completely!

• Find an LGBT-friendly provider. Ask your friends, get referrals from your local LGBT community center, or log on to websites such as www.gayhealth.com for information.

• Come out to your doctor—it’s the most effective way to make certain your health concerns are addressed completely.

• If your state or locality has enacted domestic partnership benefits, find out if you are eligible for health care and other benefits.

• Find out if your health plan requires LGBT cultural competence training for the health professionals providing services under their plan.

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"We are truly excited about the possibilities and potential for raising the awareness in our community and beyond around LGBT health in all of its issues. You and your organization's participation will ensure that we will be able to work together in a coordinated way and provide a unified voice at the forefront of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender health."

—Cornelius Baker, Co-Chair, Executive Committee National Coalition for LGBT Health

National Coalition for LGBT Health
1407 S Street, NW • Washington, DC 20009 • 202.797.3516/202.797.4430/f
coalition@lgbthealth.net