What's a Health Disparity?
What exactly do we mean when we talk about health disparities? Health disparities are differences in the incidence, prevalence, mortality, burden of diseases and other adverse health conditions or outcomes that exist among specific population groups. Health disparities can affect groups of people based on gender, age, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, geography, sexual orientation, gender
identity, disability or special health care needs and occur among
groups who have persistently experienced historical trauma, social
disadvantage or discrimination, and systematically experience worse
health or greater health risks than more advantaged social groups.
Disparities
Health Disparities: Key health issues that may impact LGBT people differently
Some health issues affect LGBT people in ways that are similar to non-LGBT people. Other issues may impact us differently, for a variety of reasons The National Coalition for LGBT Health has identitied some key themes that all LGBT people - and our health care providers - should know about:
Access to Healthcare - issues of quality and equal access
Aging - health across the lifepsan
Aging Policy - ways legislation and public policy affect us as we age
Cancer - unique issues and concerns
Hepatitis - what everyone needs to know
Intimate Partner Violence 1- and the LGBT community
Intimate Partner Violence 2 - advocating for change
Mental Health - the challenges of living in a homophobic/transphobic society
Mental Health Policy - expecting more on organizational and governmental levels
Sexual Health - resources and information
Smoking - what all LGBT people need to know
Smoking Policy - the impact of legislation and public policy
Substance Abuse - how stress and stigma may put us at risk
Transmen's Health - taking care of your health
Transwomen's Health - taking care of your health
Youth Health - issues impacting LGBT youth health
Youth Policy - how legislation and public policy affect LGBT youth
How to Close the Health Disparities Gap
Read more - an article on this important topic.
How to Close the Health Disparities Gap brief from the Center for American Progress
Additional information about LGBT people, health disparities, and their intersections with race and ethnicity
New! Read the Gay and Lesbian Medical Association's Presentation to the Institute of Medicine’s Committee on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Health Issues and Research Gaps and Opportunities
Read When Health Care Isn't Caring, Lambda Legal's 2010 Survey on Discrimination Against
LGBT People and People Living with HIV
Read more about LGBT People and Smoke-Free Air
All Children Matter: How Legal and Social Inequalities Hurt LGBT Families
LGBT Families of Color – facts at a glance
Obstacles and Opportunities: Ensuring Health and Wellness for LGBT Families outlines how LGBT families face substantial obstacles as they seek access to a range of health services.
