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Health Equity Month: A LGBTQ+ Spotlight

Health Equity Month: A LGBTQ+ Spotlight

We have observed April as National Minority Health Month since 1989. This month, we focus on raising awareness about the health disparities that affect racial and ethnic minorities. But as per the National LGBT Health Center, the LGBTQ+ community also faces unique challenges. Lack of access to healthcare, stigma and discrimination, health disparities, lack of competent healthcare providers, and barriers to gender-affirming care are just a few.

As an LGBTQ+ clinical nurse educator, here are three tips for achieving well-being for marginalized communities.

1. Increase Awareness

As per the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the WHO, LGBTQ+ individuals may be at a higher risk for specific health issues such as mental health disorders and HIV/AIDS. Awareness is crucial for the rainbow community and healthcare providers to fight the spread of sexually transmitted infections and maintain health equity.

2. Advocate for Healthcare Access

Regarding healthcare access, discriminatory policies related to insurance coverage, hospital visitation adoption policies, and reluctance by LGBTQ+ individuals to seek medical care are heart-wrenching disparities. We, therefore, need to advocate for healthcare rights and nullify these legal, financial, and discriminatory barriers.

3. Consult with an LGBTQ+ Educator

Working with an LGBTQ+ educator can provide invaluable insights for individuals and organizations looking to create a more inclusive environment. From basic knowledge about LGBTQ+ terminologies to training healthcare staff for an LGBTQ+ inclusive environment, an expert can help organizations promote workplace inclusion on a larger scale.

Indeed, talk is just talking unless we convert it into value-driven actions. Health equity for everyone is a huge milestone that requires our efforts 24/7/365! So let’s spend this Minority Health Month educating ourselves and those around us. It behooves us all to advocate for healthcare rights and seek guidance from a trusted LGBTQ+ expert. Only then can we truly understand the rainbow community and its tremendous societal contributions.

References

See Also

www.cdc.org

www.who.int

Shannon Whittington

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