It is a known factor with the LGBTQIA+ faces many social stigmas today, long after several cultural and social movements regarding LGBTQIA+ rights and injustices. This social stigma and public attitude towards those that classify themselves as LGBTQIA+ can greatly impact the rate and way that these individuals access healthcare. As discussed by Wahlen et al. in 2020, “Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) adolescents are vulnerable to poor health and social outcomes because of marginalization, stigma and normative pressure against sexual and gender minorities. They face personal and interpersonal challenges associated with the coming-out process, whereby many milestones are experienced as difficult. Unlike other minorities, they cannot necessarily count on support from their parents or family and are therefore particularly vulnerable. LGBT adolescents are targets of verbal and physical violence. Thus, they experience greater psychological distress with higher levels of depression, anxiety, body image and eating disorders than the general adolescent population. In Switzerland, the risk of suicide attempts are 2 to 7 times greater among sexual minority adolescents than heterosexual adolescents. Internationally, the risk of suicide attempts is up to 10 times greater among transgender adolescents. This is a real issue for paediatricians as more than half of those who attempt suicide do so for the first time before age 20 years. LGBT adolescents are also 5 times more prone to substance use and to risky sexual behaviors.”(2). More than any other group, individuals within the LGBTQIA+ face the greatest amount of sociocultural pressure from both the general public and sometimes their own communities. They can face discrimination from healthcare providers who hold and believe in stigmas surrounding the community as well as not receive effective care from healthcare providers who are not particularly educated about LGBTQIA+ patients. By this statement it then becomes important for us as healthcare providers to educate ourselves and confront any biases we may have towards individuals within this community in order to better serve and provide safe and competent care.
Wahlen, R., Bize, R., Wang, J., Merglen, A., & Ambresin, A.-E. (2020). Medical students’ knowledge of and attitudes towards LGBT people and their health care needs: Impact of a lecture on LGBT health. PLoS ONE, 15(7), 1–13. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0234743
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The LGBT community is a melting pot of diversity. They all come from different walks of life with unique cultural backgrounds, socioeconomic status and from all parts of the world. Unfortunately, discrimination and social stigma is linked to health disparities within the LGBT community. According to research, discrimination against LGBT has been associated with high rates of psychiatric disorders, substance abuse, and suicide (Healthy People 2020, 2014). Family and social acceptance is another issue is community. As nurses, we need to address the environmental factors that is contributing to health disparities within the LGBT community. We must tackle the health concerns first to ensure that LGBT individuals lead heathier lives. What are the benefits to eliminating health disparities of the LGBT community? There will be a greater reduction in disease transmission and progression, an increase in mental and physical well-being, a reduction in health care costs and an increase in longevity (Healthy People 2020, 2014). Community nurses must have a better understanding of the oppression and discrimination that these communities have faced in order understand their health concerns.
Healthy People 2020. (2014, September 14). Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and Transgender health. Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Health | Healthy People 2020. Retrieved September 23, 2021, from https://www.healthypeople.gov/2020/topics-objectives/topic/lesbian-gay-bisexual-and-transgender-health.
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