Sign On Regarding IOM Committee
As you have likely heard, the Institute of Medicine is convening a panel to write a report on the health needs of the LGBT community. The National Coalition for LGBT Health commends this effort, but worries that the panel does not have enough expertise on the health disparities faced by transgender individuals or LGBT people of color.
Please take action with organizational endorsements to a sign-on letter requesting that the IOM diversify this important panel.
Note tight time-line! Sign-ons are needed no later than TOMORROW (FRIDAY, JANUARY 29) by 5:00 PM EST. Please contact kellan@lgbthealth.net as soon as possible to endorse!
If you have any questions, please contact either: Kellan Baker or Rebecca Fox at 202-558-6828
IOM Committee to Prepare Report on LGBT Health
An Institute of Medicine (IOM) committee is preparing the federal government’s first report on LGBT health and health disparities. The report will assess current scientific knowledge regarding the health of LGBT people, identify research gaps and opportunities related to LGBT health, and outline a research agenda that will assist the government in enhancing its research efforts in this area. For more information on the report, please click here.
Public comments are being taken until February 1
Take action – leave your comments TODAY!
The National Coalition for LGBT Health encourages you to make your voice heard by commenting on issues that the panel should take into consideration when preparing the report. Issues that we encourage comments on include:
Gaps in current knowledge regarding LGBT health status, health risks, health disparities, and whether LGBT people have access to high-quality health care that takes all aspects of their lives into account
The importance of family and social acceptance of sexual orientation and gender identity differences on the mental health and personal safety of LGBT people
The need for research at the intersections of disparity factors such as race, ethnicity, age, geography, sexual orientation and gender identity to determine how overlapping disparities effect the health of LGBT people
The effects of social determinants and cultural factors, including stigma, discrimination, and violence, on the physical and mental health of LGBT people
The importance of counting the LGBT community by including questions about gender identity and sexual orientation on federal and state health surveys
While data-based comments are helpful, we also suggest providing qualitative, “real life” feedback that vividly illustrates the impact of LGBT health disparities on members of our community.
Click here to comment on the IOM website.
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