This week marks the 9th Annual National LGBT Health Awareness Week from March 28 to April 1. Celebrate in style by getting tested and sharing the importance of LGBT health to your health provider.
LGBT Health Awareness Week aims to shed light on the devastating cycle of healthcare discriminatory acts against the LGBT community. According to The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force and The National Coalition for LGBT Health, those within the LGBT community often face health disparities and discrimination acts in employment, relationship recognition, and insurance coverage. In turn, the LGBT community is more susceptible to sickness than straight and non-transgender communities.
This year’s LGBT Health Awareness Week theme is “Come Out for Health,” which encourages doctors, nurses, other healthcare providers, and policymakers to work together to eliminate health disparities faced by the LGBT community.
Alarmingly, in a survey conducted by The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, nearly 30 percent of survey respondents experienced harassment or violence in health care settings. And, a shocking 50 percent of respondents had to teach their medical providers about appropriate care for transgender health.
Make this week a celebratory cause for good health, and put an end to LGBT discrimination in healthcare. To help spread the word, go to www.lgbthealth.net for more information.
