LGBT services
Dr. Elena Tolstov is an active political leader in support of LGBT community and Starving Artist Project.
Steve Stattorn, one of the US national LBGT leaders. Started the Starving Artist Project sponsored by Dr. Elena L.Tolstov.
Our Center is proud support of health care needs of traditionally underrepresented patients. Until recently, the issues of other disenfranchised groups such as sexual minorities, the 3.5 % of Americans who identify themselves as lesbians, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) weren’t included in these discussions. There is mounting evidence that members of the LGBT communities and their families face many of the same health care disparities in accessing health care systems and poor outcomes. These disparities include the following:
. Less access to insurance and health care services, including preventive care
. Lower overall health status
. Higher rates of smoking, alcohol, and substance abuse
. Higher risk for mental health illnesses, such as anxiety and depression
. Higher rates of sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV infection
. Increased incidence of some cancers
Steve Stattorn, one of the US national LBGT leaders. Started the Starving Artist Project sponsored by Dr. Elena L.Tolstov.
Our Center is proud support of health care needs of traditionally underrepresented patients. Until recently, the issues of other disenfranchised groups such as sexual minorities, the 3.5 % of Americans who identify themselves as lesbians, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) weren’t included in these discussions. There is mounting evidence that members of the LGBT communities and their families face many of the same health care disparities in accessing health care systems and poor outcomes. These disparities include the following:
. Less access to insurance and health care services, including preventive care
. Lower overall health status
. Higher rates of smoking, alcohol, and substance abuse
. Higher risk for mental health illnesses, such as anxiety and depression
. Higher rates of sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV infection
. Increased incidence of some cancers
Professor Tolstov Elena
MD, PhD was born in Russia, and worked in Russia, Israel, Canada and USA
Social inequality is often associated with poorer health status, frequently as a result of social stigma and discrimination that “out” LGBT individuals experience. Others are isolated because their fear of rejection prevents them from disclosing their orientation even to their health care providers. Therefore, their physicians are unaware of their higher risk of significant health threats. Without that knowledge physicians may unknowingly impeded upon the rights of their patients’ family members and significant others during critical periods.
One factor contributing to these barriers is the fact-legalized marriage and employment are the most common means of securing comprehensive, affordable health care insurance. Still even patients with insurance may face discrimination and mistreatment by health care providers. In fact, a 1999 survey found 18.7% of physicians sometimes or are often uncomfortable providing care to gay patients.
This article is meant to primarily to provide definitions of terms, health care information, and tips to improve health care delivery to LGBT individuals and their families. Second, the article is meant to encourage increase advocacy efforts by MN physicians to ensure all health disparities are addressed to eliminate health care disparities in traditionally underserved ethnic minorities and other groups including sexual minorities.
TERMS
INTERVIEW QUESTIONS
TIPS
We display LGBT-friendly symbols such as the rainbow flag, the pink triangle, or Safe Zone sign to communicate to all a safe environment.
. We identify ourselves as LGBT friendly provider by registering at www.glma.org
. We verify that our staff is responsive to LGBT patients and their family’s needs during care planning and treatment.
We verify there’s a non-discrimination policy inclusive of sexual orientation and gender identity for patients and staff.
. We educate all health care providers and health care staff with direct patient contact in issues related to health care access and delivery to LGBT individuals and their families
. We refrain from making assumptions about a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity.
. We support LGBT events such as National Right To Marry Day (Feb 12), Pride Month (June), Day of Pink (April 10), and National Coming Out Day (Oct 11).
. We reflect a patient’s choice of language used to describe their sexual orientation and life partner or relationships.
. We integrate training in all levels of medication education through modelling appropriate behaviour as well as direct education.
. We transform patient care areas and documentation to promote a gender-neutral environment. Are there educational brochures on LGBT health topics?
. We familiar ourselves with FL local resources available for LGBT people.
One factor contributing to these barriers is the fact-legalized marriage and employment are the most common means of securing comprehensive, affordable health care insurance. Still even patients with insurance may face discrimination and mistreatment by health care providers. In fact, a 1999 survey found 18.7% of physicians sometimes or are often uncomfortable providing care to gay patients.
This article is meant to primarily to provide definitions of terms, health care information, and tips to improve health care delivery to LGBT individuals and their families. Second, the article is meant to encourage increase advocacy efforts by MN physicians to ensure all health disparities are addressed to eliminate health care disparities in traditionally underserved ethnic minorities and other groups including sexual minorities.
TERMS
- Coming out (of the closet) refers to disclosing one’s same sex orientation to another.
- LGBT stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender.
- Sexual Orientation refers to an individuals’ physical and/or emotional attraction to the same and/or opposite gender.
- Gender Identity is a person’s basic sense of being male, female, or other gender.
- Gender Expression refers to an individual’s appearance, personality, and behavior.
- Transgender is an individual whose gender identity or gender expression differs from their birth sex.
INTERVIEW QUESTIONS
- Are sexually active? If so, are you sexually active with women, men, or both?
- Do you have a partner? If so, what do you call your partner?
- Would you like information about safer sex techniques?
- Do you share your sexual orientation with others?
- Are you in a committed relationship?
- What is your current gender identity?
- Do you have concerns about your sexual function?
- Do you have any concerns or questions about your sexuality,sexual identify, or sexual desires?
TIPS
We display LGBT-friendly symbols such as the rainbow flag, the pink triangle, or Safe Zone sign to communicate to all a safe environment.
. We identify ourselves as LGBT friendly provider by registering at www.glma.org
. We verify that our staff is responsive to LGBT patients and their family’s needs during care planning and treatment.
We verify there’s a non-discrimination policy inclusive of sexual orientation and gender identity for patients and staff.
. We educate all health care providers and health care staff with direct patient contact in issues related to health care access and delivery to LGBT individuals and their families
. We refrain from making assumptions about a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity.
. We support LGBT events such as National Right To Marry Day (Feb 12), Pride Month (June), Day of Pink (April 10), and National Coming Out Day (Oct 11).
. We reflect a patient’s choice of language used to describe their sexual orientation and life partner or relationships.
. We integrate training in all levels of medication education through modelling appropriate behaviour as well as direct education.
. We transform patient care areas and documentation to promote a gender-neutral environment. Are there educational brochures on LGBT health topics?
. We familiar ourselves with FL local resources available for LGBT people.
Dr. Paul Shaun, International Red Cross HIV program. Dr. Elena L. Tolstov is a consultant for this project.
DID YOU KNOW?
9.4% of men who identify them as heterosexual had sex with a men in the prior year and these men are more likely to belong to a minority racial and ethnic group, be of lower socio-economic status, are immigrants, and not use a condom.
. At least 77% of lesbians have had at least one prior sexual experience with men.
. Discrimination against LGBT persons has been associated with high rates of psychiatric disorders, substance abuse, and suicide.
. Experiences of violence and victimization are frequent for LGBT individuals, and have long-lasting effects on the individual and the community.
. Personal, family, and social acceptance of social orientation and gender identity affects the mental health and personal safety of LGBT individuals.
. Adolescent LGBT individuals are more likely to take risks in automobiles.
. Adolescent LGBT are at increased risk for experiences with violence including behaviors such as bullying, harassment, threats, and violence.
. Adolescent LGBT are twice as likely to have attempted suicide.
. LGBT youth are more likely to be homeless and victimized.
. Lesbians and bisexual women have a higher rate of obesity and stress. African American and Hispanic lesbians are most likely to have a higher BMI.
. LGBT populations have the highest rates of tobacco, alcohol, and other drug use.
. Lesbians and bisexual women are less likely to get routine preventive health screenings.
. Lesbians are less likely than heterosexual women to have a full-term pregnancy thus less exposure to hormones thought to protect women against breast, endometrial, and ovarian cancers.
. Lesbians and bisexual women report higher rates of depression and anxiety.
. Lesbian women are less likely to disclose domestic violence.
. Heavy drinking and drug abuse appear to be more common among lesbians.
. Lesbian and bisexual women are at risk for contracting sexually transmitted infections.
. Homosexual men are at higher risk of HIV and other STI, especially minority homosexual men.
. Transgender individuals have a high prevalence of HIV/STDs, victimization, mental health issues, and suicide and are less like to have health insurance than heterosexual or LGB individuals.
. There are 2.5 million LGBT seniors who are twice as likely to live alone, four times less likely to have assistance from adult children.
. Elderly LGBT individuals receive few social services than their heterosexual peers.
. Elderly LGBT individuals are less likely to have spousal or survival benefits thus the death or disability of one partner may threaten the economic security of the surviving partner.
9.4% of men who identify them as heterosexual had sex with a men in the prior year and these men are more likely to belong to a minority racial and ethnic group, be of lower socio-economic status, are immigrants, and not use a condom.
. At least 77% of lesbians have had at least one prior sexual experience with men.
. Discrimination against LGBT persons has been associated with high rates of psychiatric disorders, substance abuse, and suicide.
. Experiences of violence and victimization are frequent for LGBT individuals, and have long-lasting effects on the individual and the community.
. Personal, family, and social acceptance of social orientation and gender identity affects the mental health and personal safety of LGBT individuals.
. Adolescent LGBT individuals are more likely to take risks in automobiles.
. Adolescent LGBT are at increased risk for experiences with violence including behaviors such as bullying, harassment, threats, and violence.
. Adolescent LGBT are twice as likely to have attempted suicide.
. LGBT youth are more likely to be homeless and victimized.
. Lesbians and bisexual women have a higher rate of obesity and stress. African American and Hispanic lesbians are most likely to have a higher BMI.
. LGBT populations have the highest rates of tobacco, alcohol, and other drug use.
. Lesbians and bisexual women are less likely to get routine preventive health screenings.
. Lesbians are less likely than heterosexual women to have a full-term pregnancy thus less exposure to hormones thought to protect women against breast, endometrial, and ovarian cancers.
. Lesbians and bisexual women report higher rates of depression and anxiety.
. Lesbian women are less likely to disclose domestic violence.
. Heavy drinking and drug abuse appear to be more common among lesbians.
. Lesbian and bisexual women are at risk for contracting sexually transmitted infections.
. Homosexual men are at higher risk of HIV and other STI, especially minority homosexual men.
. Transgender individuals have a high prevalence of HIV/STDs, victimization, mental health issues, and suicide and are less like to have health insurance than heterosexual or LGB individuals.
. There are 2.5 million LGBT seniors who are twice as likely to live alone, four times less likely to have assistance from adult children.
. Elderly LGBT individuals receive few social services than their heterosexual peers.
. Elderly LGBT individuals are less likely to have spousal or survival benefits thus the death or disability of one partner may threaten the economic security of the surviving partner.
HELPFUL RESOURCES
Healthy People 2010: Companion Document for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Health. San Francisco, CA: Gay and Lesbian Medical Association; 2001
HHS, Healthy People 2020: Improving the Health of Americans; 2011
The Joint Commission: Advancing Effective Communication, Cultural Competence, and Patient-and Family- Centered Care for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Community: A Field Guide. Oak Brook, IL. Oct. 2011. LGBTFieldGuide.pdf
HHS, Healthy People 2020: Improving the Health of Americans; 2011
The Joint Commission: Advancing Effective Communication, Cultural Competence, and Patient-and Family- Centered Care for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Community: A Field Guide. Oak Brook, IL. Oct. 2011. LGBTFieldGuide.pdf
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