Comprehensive Document Begins to Address Thirteen Health Disparities
The National Coalition for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and
Transgender Health, in an effort to address health disparities among the
transgender population, has compiled "An Overview of U.S. Trans Health
Priorities."
The overview is based upon a meta-analysis of the available research on
U.S. transgender populations, not all of which has been published in journals.
Many of the issues outlined in the document are inter-related, and
primarily related to access to health care - to trans health services, behavioral
health services (including substance abuse treatment and smoking
cessation treatment), HIV/AIDS/STD care and routine health and wellness care.
The Transgender Health Primer is available as a PDF file:
download now
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"Our goal is to educate our own communities about issues impacting our
trans brothers and sisters," said Jessica Xavier, co-chair of disparities
working group. "and as a result, save lives of probably one of the most
medically underserved populations."
This document found the top priorities to be:
- Violence and murder
prevention
- HIV/AIDS and other STD prevention and treatment
- Substance abuse prevention and treatment
- Depression, suicidal ideation and
suicide prevention
- Lack of health insurance and underinsurance
- Lack of health insurance coverage for Trans Health Services
- Gender Identity
Disorder (GID) as the principal diagnostic means determining access to
Trans health services
- Lack of FDA approval for Transgender hormonal
therapy
- Widespread injection Silicone use, especially among MTF's of Color
- The continuing misclassification of sex reassignment surgery as
"experimental" by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMMS)
- Lack
of training in U.S. medical schools for Trans health service delivery and
working with Transgender Patients
- Medical, mental health and
substance
abuse treatment provider insensitivity and hostility to Transgender
people;
and
- Tobacco use
One of the major goals of Healthy People 2010 was the elimination of
disparities and outcomes in health care access, and therefore the issues
contained in the document are classified within Healthy People 2010
categories.
"We need to stay focused on HP2010 and ensuring that transgender people
are included in our nation's health disparities efforts," says Moonhawk
River Stone, co-chair of the disparities working group. "Understanding the
complexity of gender identity issues is essential to building on the
momentum from the HP2010 Companion Document for LGBT Health created in
2000."
"The much needed focus and usefulness of this primer shows what
thoughtful, committed community partners within the LGBT community can accomplish,"
said Eugenia "Henia" Handler, co-chair of the Coalition and director of
government relations at the Fenway Community Health Center.
Visit the National Coalition for LGBT Health at: www.lgbthealth.net
Find more information on LGBTI Health visit the: Temenos Health Page
Find more resources for the Transgender Community visit the: Temenos Transgender Page
