Gay Health Week. Issues Of Concern

Gay Health Week Draws Attention To LGBT Concerns
by 365Gay.com Newscenter Staff
Posted: March 14, 2005  2:03 pm ET

(Washington) Gay and lesbian health advocates across the nation are focusing this week on specific health concerns within the LGBT community.

Monday marked the beginning of the third annual National LGBT Health Awareness Week, sponsored by the National Coalition for LGBT Health.

Recent studies have shown that gays and lesbians are at increased risk for certain forms of cancers including lung, cervical, breast, and anal cancer due to a higher prevalence of smoking, being overweight, and inadequate risk assessment and health care screenings.

Substance abuse, especially the rising use if crystal meth, is blamed for an increase in unsafe sex. (story)

Gays and lesbians also have reportedly high rates of stress-related mental health problems the coalition notes.

Additionally, gay and lesbian couples are at a disadvantage in obtaining medical insurance compared to heterosexual couples since many insurance companies and employers do not provide domestic partnership benefits.

A national survey released last week shows that health care costs and the lack of adequate health insurance are the most common reasons why lesbians have delayed obtaining health care. (story) 

Older LGBT people in same-sex relationships are at high risk of economic devastation due to an absence of Medicaid spend-down protections afforded to legalized partners. And, transgender care is not taught in U.S. medical schools.

"Our community's health and human services needs are grossly underserved, with gay Americans essentially being cheated out of their tax dollars," said Matt Foreman, Executive Director of the Gay and Lesbian Task Force.

Tuesday, the National Coalition for LGBT Health, the Task Force and other LGBT rights groups will lobby on Capitol Hill and at the Department of Health and Human Services to draw attention to the disparities.

"During this week, events all around the country to raise the visibility and awareness of the many health issues impacting our communities," said Donald Hitchcock, national field director, National Coalition for LGBT Health. 

Gays in the military face an additional problem.

Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender service members continue to report to the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network that they have been outed by healthcare providers.

A retired Navy psychiatrist Monday called on military leaders today to protect the medical privacy of service members. 

The SLDN estamates there are more than 65,000 lesbian and gay military personnel. Under US law members of the military have no doctor-patient confidentiality.

“Service members should not face discharge simply for being truthful when seeking medical attention,” said Capt. Mike Rankin, M.D., USNR (Ret.)

“Knowing details such as a patient’s sexual orientation is essential in providing the best possible healthcare.  Service members should not have to compromise their well-being in order to comply with the military’s gay ban.  

©365Gay.com 2005