The visibility of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual, and all sexually and gender diverse (LGBTQIA+) families is growing, reflecting the evolving landscape of contemporary society. It is estimated that 5 million American children live with a parent who identifies as LGBTQIA+, and nearly 170,000 children are being raised by same-sex couples. Among transgender adults in the U.S., 15-19% are currently a parent of a child under 18 years old. Given the large number of LGBTQIA+ families with children, it is crucial for health centers to recognize the unique and diverse configurations of families in order to meet their health care needs. Effectively providing care for LGBTQIA+ families with children requires a commitment to understanding and embracing their distinct experiences and challenges. By becoming more informed, adapting new terminology, and fostering a sense of community, health center care teams can significantly improve care experiences and health outcomes for all patients and families.
Learning Resources
Improving Depression Care for LGBTQIA+ Older Adults at Health Centers
Presented by Lisa Krinsky and Dr. Alex Keuroghlian in collaboration with the National Center for LGBTQIA+ Health Education Center and the National Center for Equitable Care for Elders (NCECE), this webinar will focus on addressing mental health disparities in older LGBTQIA+ adults through culturally responsive care. Participants will consider approaches for promoting a supportive environment and providing tailored services to LGBTQIA+ patients as they age.
- Filed under
- LGBTQIA+ Older Adults
Low Threshold Substance Use Support for LGBTQIA+ Communities
In collaboration with the National Health Care for the Homeless Council, this webinar will discuss innovative low-barrier, patient-centered models of SUD treatment that can be integrated into health centers, and can effectively engage LGBTQIA+ communities and people experiencing homelessness. Approaches will include same-day and home induction of medications for opioid use disorder, long-acting injectables, and harm reduction principles.
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- Organizational Change
Long-Acting Injectable PrEP for LGBTQIA+ Populations: Implementation in Health Center
Join Dr. Ard from the National LGBTQIA+ Health Education Center and Jeannie McIntosh from Community Health Center, Inc. for an informative webinar on the benefits and practical implementation of long-acting injectable PrEP in health centers. Focused on improving care for LGBTQIA+ communities, this webinar will explore eligibility and assessment of candidates, administering long-acting injectable PrEP, and common challenges in prescribing and integrating injectable long-acting injectable PrEP.
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- Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP)
The Intersection of HIV, Aging, and Housing: Considerations for Health Centers
This webinar from the National Center for Equitable Care for Elders (NCECE), the National Center for Health in Public Housing (NCHPH), and the National LGBTQIA+ Health Education Center will focus on integrated solutions for supporting older adults living with HIV to safely age in their community of choice.
HIV Prevention and Care for People Assigned Female at Birth
Presented by Dr. Whitney Irie and Dr. Kevin Ard in collaboration with the National LGBTQIA+ Health Education Center, this webinar will train health centers on best and promising practices for prevention and treatment of HIV among cisgender women, non-binary people assigned female at birth, and transgender men.
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- HIV/STI Treatment and Prevention
Caring for LGBTQIA+ Youth at Health Centers
Presented by the National LGBTQIA+ Health Education Center, this webinar will focus on both disparities and resilience among LGBTQIA+ youth, including practical strategies for reaching and engaging LGBTQIA+ youth into primary care and behavioral health care. In addition to learning of health risks faced by LGBTQIA+ youth, webinar participants will become more familiar with LGBTQIA+ youth culture, and will learn of ways to forge trusting relationships and create welcoming environments.
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- LGBTQIA+ Children and Youth
Patient-Centered Telehealth for LGBTQIA+ Communities
This publication is designed to support health centers in using telehealth programs to increase access to patient care and services for LGBTQIA+ people. Telehealth, in which technology is used to provide health care services at a distance, has become an essential approach to providing patient care and services for underserved communities, including LGBTQIA+ people. Telehealth eliminates geographic restrictions, which increases access to providers who can provide culturally affirming and knowledgeable health care for LGBTQIA+ people. Although telehealth has the potential to improve health outcomes for LGBTQIA+ patients, considerations need to be made to ensure equitable access. The purpose of this publication is to educate health center staff on how to reduce barriers to LGBTQIA+ patient care by improving telehealth programming.
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- Introduction to LGBTQIA+ Health
Care for Transgender and Gender Diverse Children Whose Parents Are Involved in a Custody Dispute
Custody disputes involving transgender and gender diverse (TGD) children and adolescents require careful consideration due to the unique medical, social, and mental health needs of TGD youth. This is especially the case when one parent is less accepting of the child’s gender exploration/identity than the co-parent. Due to a lack of familiarity within family courts regarding TGD children, harmful misinformation has resulted in the more gender-affirming parent losing physical and/or legal decision-making custody of their TGD child to the non-affirming parent.
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- LGBTQIA+ Children and Youth
- Transgender Health
Disaster Equity: Preparedness, Response, and Recovery for LGBTQIA+ Patients of Health Centers
LGBTQIA+ people exist in all communities and are incredibly diverse in terms of race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, socioeconomic status, ability, etc. Importantly, LGBTQIA+ people are underrepresented in disaster and climate infrastructure and policies, yet are overrepresented in populations that are known to be the most impacted by natural disasters—such as those burdened with chronic illness, who are unhoused, or have limited access to healthcare.
- Filed under
- Emergency Preparedness & Response
