LGBT health survey shows trouble spots
BOSTON. The largest survey to date comparing the health of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community to heterosexuals and non-transgender residents showed sharp health disparities.
The statistics:
In a survey of nearly 1,600 Massachusetts residents:
- Almost 31 percent of transgender citizens reported considering suicide in the past year, compared to just 2 percent for heterosexuals and 4 percent for gay or lesbian.
- Nearly 35 percent of transgender citizens said they were threatened with physical violence during their lifetime by an intimate partner, almost three times the rate of non-transgender residents.
- Just 45 percent of bisexual women said they had never had a mammogram, below the 59 percent of heterosexuals and 58 percent of lesbians.
- Bisexuals reported the most days binge drinking, having four or five drinks in a sitting an average of nearly two times in the past 30 days. Bisexuals also reported smoking marijuana nearly twice as often as heterosexuals.
See LGBT health survey shows trouble spots
Metro.us
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Report Shows LGBT Health Disparities
A new report on the non-HIV health and human service needs of LGBT people in New York state shows significant disparities compared to non-LGBT people, reflecting national trends exacerbated by lack of adequate data and homophobia.
The state-sponsored report, the first of its kind for New York, was prepared by researcher Somjen Frazer and published by the Empire State Pride Agenda. It is based on government data, interviews with 60 LGBT health and human services experts, and surveys of 3,500 LGBT New Yorkers.
Key findings of the report, according to Somjen, include the pervasiveness of homelessness, which poses a substantial barrier to service access. Fourteen percent of LGBT people, including one-third of transgender respondents, reported being homeless currently or at one point in their lives.
Lack of culturally competent care also creates hurdles, with 40% of LGBT respondents saying that too few health professionals were adequately trained to deliver services to LGBT patients. Moreover, 27% said they feared they would be treated differently if their health care provider learned they were LGBT.
See Report Shows LGBT Health Disparities
Advocate.com
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New Study Finds Gap in LGBT Health Services
With all the media coverage lately around Gay Pride events, as well as around marriage equality, it is ironic that so little is really known about the lives and health needs of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people. This lack of specific information on the LGBT community is not just an academic problem; policymakers, especially those in government, demand real numbers to document the existence of problems. This is particularly true in these tough economic times, as funders, government officials and state agencies rightly demand efficient programs that are targeted like laser beams on specific, documented problems. In this context as with so many things, knowledge equals power: the power to allocate resources and work to fix these problems.
At the national level, researchers have estimated that LGBT people lag behind on seven of the ten targets set by the U.S. government to improve health nationally, called Healthy People 2010. In New York City, we know that LGBT lag behind on at least six of NYC’s health goals, called Take Care New York. However, most states do not measure sexual orientation on their health surveys, and none have consistently measured gender identity.
As researchers and advocates, we are working to change that. In our recent work funded by the New York State Department of Health interviewing 60 experts in health and human services and surveying 3,500 LGBT New Yorkers about their health and human service needs, we have found some striking disparities between their experiences and those of non-LGBT people. Empire State Pride Agenda has just this week published these findings in a report entitled “LGBT Health and Human Service Needs in New York State.”
See New Study Finds Gap in LGBT Health Services
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Healthcare industry lags in LGBT health issues
(Washington) The healthcare industry is failing LGBT patients, according to a report released Tuesday by the Human Rights Campaign and the Gay and Lesbian Medical Association.
The release of the third annual Healthcare Equality Index coincides with the annual observance of National Hospital Week.
“While many facilities are leading the way in …
Tags: Equality, Health Issues, Healthcare Industry, Human Rights Campaign, Leading The Way, Lesbian Medical Association, Lgbt Health, National Hospital Week, ObservanceOrganizational Leaders Gather for Inaugural Conference of California LGBT Health and Human Services Network
Agenda for Meeting to Include Budget Cuts Facing LGBT Community Providers
SACRAMENTO – On December 17, the LGBT Heath and Human Services Network, a sponsored program of the Equality California Institute, held its inaugural conference at the offices of the California Endowment. The Network is a statewide coalition of LGBT and allied organizations working to prioritize the health needs of the LGBT community in California and connect member organizations with statewide funding sources that have not necessarily been directed toward the LGBT community in the past.
“The LGBT Health and Human Services Network is the first effort of its kind in California, modeled after a similar and very successful LGBT health coalition in New York State,” said Equality California Institute Executive Director Geoff Kors. “As budget cuts devastate California in this difficult economic climate, it’s more important than ever that we work together to protect services and programs that keep the LGBT community healthy and safe.”
Network member organizations range from those with a traditional health focus to youth organizations, senior services providers, drug and alcohol programs, LGBT centers and violence prevention organizations. Members represent diverse communities across the state from San Diego to the Central Coast to the North Bay Area.
“As an organization dedicated to wellness for members of the LGBT community, we are excited to be a part of this new coalition,” said Lance Toma, Executive Director of Asian & Pacific Islander Wellness Center, who also serves on the Network Steering Committee. “The Network will provide opportunities for many organizations to have a more powerful presence in Sacramento, so that the vital services we provide to the LGBT community get the support they need from state government.”
The Network’s plans for 2009 include opposing state budget cuts that will impact the LGBT community, seeking new state funding streams that can support LGBT health and human services programs, and building relationships with key policymakers to ensure that LGBT health needs are prioritized in California.
Equality California Institute educates LGBT people and the public at large about issues impacting the LGBT community and its allies. EQCAI leads the Let California Ring campaign, LGBT Health and Human Services Network and Equality Alliance. eqcai.org
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