The National LGBT Health Education Center started conducting direct training and technical assistance with Federally Qualified Health Centers in 2014. This service was made possible by the expansion of our National Cooperative Agreement with the Health Resources and Services Administration to include technical assistance work. Since 2014, seventeen health centers in six states (Connecticut, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Mississippi, New York, and Texas) have participated in the assessment process.
Learning Resources
Focus on Forms and Policy: Creating an Inclusive Environment for LGBT Patients
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people come from all walks of life and experience many of the same health problems as non-LGBT people. This means that every organizational policy and procedure may impact the experience of LGBT people. To create an LGBT-affirming and inclusive environment, it is important to examine policies and procedures. This publication reviews some common updates to organizational forms and polices to create an affirming and inclusive environment for LGBT patients, and reviews strategies to modify procedures, behavior, and language to be inclusive of all patients.
- Filed under
- Organizational Change
Providing Affirmative Care for Patients with Non-binary Gender Identities
All members of a health care organization—front-line staff members, clinicians, and administrators—play a crucial role in offering an inclusive, affirming experience for all people, including those with non-binary gender identities. Everyone, no matter their gender identity or expression, appreciates friendly, courteous, and effective care. In addition, non-binary people, who have gender identities other than male or female, have unique needs when interacting with the health care system. Non-binary people face numerous health disparities as well as stigma, discrimination, and a lack of access to quality care. However, you do not need to specialize in non-binary health care to give your non-binary patients an affirming experience.
Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Questions: Information for Patients
This pamphlet on sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) questions can be handed out to patients in waiting rooms or exam rooms. The pamphlet explains: why your organization is asking about SOGI, what each SOGI term means, and how the information will be kept confidential. The pamphlet comes in several languages.
Building Patient-Centered Medical Homes for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Patients and Families
While expanding access to health insurance coverage through the Affordable Care Act has been vital to millions of previously uninsured Americans, moving U.S. health care away from fee-for-service, volume-driven payments to payments based on value and outcomes will be a much more challenging transformation. For health centers and other health care providers, one commonly used model for practice transformation is the patient-centered medical home (PCMH). The PCMH model transforms how primary care is coordinated and delivered by emphasizing comprehensive, team-based care that places the patient at the center. When implemented successfully, the PCMH model leads to higher quality care at a lower cost, improving both the patients’ and providers’ experience of care.
- Filed under
- Organizational Change
Understanding the Health Needs of LGBT People
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals continue to face stigma and discrimination even though social acceptance is improving. This stigma and discrimination can result in negative experiences that combine with lack of access to culturally-affirming and informed health professionals to result in multiple health disparities for LGBT populations. Therefore, there is an urgent need to provide inclusive, high-quality health services to LGBT people so they can achieve the highest possible level of health. This document reviews LGBT concepts and demographics, discusses health disparities affecting LGBT groups, and outlines steps that clinicians, health centers, and other health care organizations can take to provide patient-centered care for LGBT people.
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- Introduction to LGBTQIA+ Health
Pathways to Parenthood for LGBT People
A growing number of LGBT people are starting families. The 2010 US Census reported that approximately 19% of same-sex couples are currently raising children, and a 2013 Pew Research national survey found that 51% of LGBT adults of any age have children or would like to have children in the future. As an increasing number LGBT individuals and couples seek to have children, many will turn to their health care providers for resources and guidance. This brief walks through the various pathways to parenthood for LGBT people, as well as unique issues these couples and individuals may face as they consider their options. The pathways explored in the brief include adoption and foster parenting, donor insemination and in vitro fertilization (IVF), and surrogacy. Also discussed are ways in which health care organizations can support LGBT parents. The brief can be used as a guide to tailor conversations about parenting desires with lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender patients.
- Filed under
- Reproductive Health
HIV Prevention in the South: Reducing Stigma, Increasing Access
The HIV epidemic disproportionately affects the Southern U.S., where 51% of new HIV diagnoses occurred in 2013. Despite substantial progress along the continuum of care, HIV remains a major health concern in the South, particularly for young, Black gay and bisexual men, other men who have sex men (MSM), and transgender women. Our new publication “HIV Prevention in the South: Reducing Stigma, Increasing Access” presents four strategic elements for preventing the further spread of HIV among vulnerable populations in the South, and suggests a more hopeful future for reducing the HIV epidemic.
Providing Inclusive Services and Care for LGBT People: A Guide for Health Care Staff
Providing Inclusive Services and Care for LGBT People has been developed to help all members of the health care team provide an inclusive and affirmative environment for all clients, with a focus on lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people.
- Filed under
- Organizational Change
