Disparities in
Health Care
Part VI
Jeffrey Alderman, MD, MS
Assistant Dean for Medical Education
Barbara Yetter Roth Chair & Associate Professor – Community Medicine
Oxley College of Health & Natural Sciences
LGBTQ Issues
LGBTQ
3.8% (12.3 Million)
Americans identify as
LGBTQ
Among those, 11% (1.4
Million) Americans identify
themselves as Transgender
Gallup Organization
Williams Organization
LGBTQ
Youth and
School
Issues
85% of LGBTQ youth have
experienced verbal harassment
at school
58% of LGBTQ youth have felt
unsafe at school due to their
sexual orientation
27% of LGBTQ students have
been physically harassed at
school because of their sexual
orientation
UCLA – Williams Institute Report, 2018
LGBTQ
Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion
HealthyPeople.gov, 2018
Lack of laws protecting against bullying in
schools
Legal discrimination in access to health
insurance, employment, housing, marriage,
adoption, and retirement benefits
LGBTQ
37% of LGBT youth report
being happy
vs. 67% of non-LGBT
youth
Over 80% of LGBTQ youth
believe they will be happy
eventually
Nearly half believe that
they will need to move
away from their current
town to find happiness
Mental Health America
IMPACT 2010, Am J Pub Health
Employment and Legalities
2019: Tulsa mayor G.T. Bynum signed an executive order adding
gender identity and expression to the city's employee nondiscrimination policy
2020: Oklahoma employers can no longer discriminate against
people based on sexual orientation or gender identity
Discrimination is legally permissible among state housing
agencies and public accommodation (e.g., stores)
3-month deferral period for gay men to donate blood products
LGBTQ and Health
LGBTQ individuals (including youths) have
among the highest rates of tobacco,
alcohol, and other substance abuse
Gay men are at higher risk of HIV and other
STIs, especially among communities of color
Lesbians and bisexual females have higher
rates of being overweight or obese compared
to all women
Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion
HealthyPeople.gov, 2018
Among
Transgender Patients
29% said that provider refused to see
them because of their actual or
perceived gender identity
23% said providers intentionally misgendered them or used the wrong
name
21% said that a provider used harsh
or abusive language when treating
them
Center for American Progress survey, 2017
Gaining Cultural Competency in the
Care of LGBTQ Individuals
Awareness
Understand
Empathize
Understand the
struggles that most
LGBTQ people have
experienced in their
lives – and be ready
to listen
Be aware of the
unique mental
health and
substance use
disorders affecting
LGBTQ populations
Have an open mind
and an open heart to
listen
Tulsa Equality Center