Topic 9: LGBTQ + health disparities Flashcards
Define health disparities
- Health differences linked with cultural + social + economic + environmental backgrounds
- Negatively influence some groups more than others
Define LGBTQ+
- Umbrella term for all sexualities/gender identities/romantic relationships = not heterosexual
Give the stats for LGBTQ+ identity
- UK = 6.5% population
- USA = 5.5% population
- Germany = 7.4%
Define gender identity
- How the individual feels in their head
- Based off your chemisty/hormones
- Man>genderqueer>woman
Define gender expression
- How individual demonstrates gender
- How you act/dress/interact
- Feminine>androgynous>masculine
Define biological sex
- Measurable organs/hormones/chromosomes
- Female = vagina + ovaries + XX
- Male = penis + testes + XY
- Intersex = combination
Define sexual orientation
- Who individual is attracted to based on someones sex compared to yours
- Hetro>bi>homosexual
What are terminologies used in clinical practice
- MSM/WSM
- Cis/trans
- Non-binary/genderfluid/genderneutral
List issues LGBTQ+ people face
- Disclosure
- Discrimination
- Misconceptions/stereotypes
- Increased risk of certain diseases
- Lack of tailored healthcare
> MAINLY IN TRANS + LGBT PEOPLE OF COLOR
Give the stats on LGBTQ+ healthcare disparities
- 1/8 people = form of discrimination
- 1/4 people = inappropriate curiosity from staff
- 1/3 trans people = unequal treatment
- Almost 1/2 trans people = inappropriate curiosity
What are LGBTQ+ people at an increased risk for?
- Mental health
- Sexual health
- Substance abuse
- Cancer
Describe mental health in LGBTQ+
- About 1/2 = depression
- 1/8 aged 18-24 have attempted suicide
- Due to fear of discrimination
- Struggle coming out = fear of rejection + stigmatization = trouble integrating into LGBTQ+ community
Describe sexual health in LGBTQ+
- Younger age of 1st sexual experience
- Lack of safe sex education
- Avoid help from healthcare
- Poor understanding of STI testing
Describe substance abuse in LGBTQ+
- More prone to alcohol + tobacco + cannabis + ecstasy + cocaine + heroin
- LGBTQ+ culture more prominent in bars/clubs = access to substances
- Result of mental health
Describe cancer in LGBTQ+
- Higher than rest of population
- Lesbians = increased breast cancer
- Gay = increased anal cancer
- Increased risk factors = smoking + substances + HPV + HIV
- Poor screening
Describe healthcare professional’s attitudes
- Don’t think sexuality + gender identity relevant to patients health
- Some think LGBTQ+ can be cured
- Believe they don’t have gay patients
Describe healthcare professional’s lack of education
- Issues due to lack of education poorly integrated into healthcare
- Majority report no training on LGTQ+ issues in the UK
Describe healthcare professional’s behavior
- Professionals not comfortable discussing sexuality/gender identity
- Lack of training/understanding
- Fear of being isolated
- Professionals tend not to challenge discrimination against LGBTQ+
- LGBTQ+ professionals hide their identity
What are the consequences of attitudes + lack of training against LGBTQ+?
- Poor doctor-patient relationships
- Insufficient screening
- Problematic intervention
- Poor health outcomes
Explain how to improve healthcare for LGBTQ+
GENERAL:
- Appropriate education/training
- Inclusive environment
- National strategy
- Improve sex-ed
PATIENT-SPECIFIC:
- Sociological imagination + open-minded + non-judgmental
- Empathy
- Work with patient
