The
Human Rights Campaign Foundation, the educational arm of the nation’s
largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) civil rights
organization, is commemorating National LGBT Health Awareness Week this
week (March 26-30) with a series of events from coast to coast designed
to promote LGBT health and bring awareness to the unique healthcare
needs of the LGBT community. As documented by a recent Institute of
Medicine report, health disparities continue to plague the LGBT
community and the fear of discrimination causes many LGBT people to
avoid seeking care. Studies have shown that LGBT people are often not
treated with the respect that all patients deserve.
“During National LGBT Health Awareness Week we will confront the
ongoing healthcare challenges facing our community,” said HRC President
Joe Solmonese. “This week is an opportunity to shine a light on our
community’s healthcare needs and promote LGBT health on Capitol Hill and
across the country.”
As part of the week’s activities, HRC Legal Director Brian Moulton will
take part in two Congressional briefings on Wednesday March 28 to
explore the unique social, economic, and legal impediments to LGBT
family health and well-being in the U.S. Beyond Washington, HRC LGBT
health expert Shane Snowdon will provide much-needed education by giving
grand rounds at Mt. Auburn Hospital in Cambridge, Massachusetts, for
physicians, nurses, and managers on Thursday March 29, and by keynoting
the Oregon statewide LGBTQ Meaningful Care Conference, hosted by a wide
range of state and local health agencies on Friday March 30.
While LGBT Health Awareness Week is an opportunity to highlight and
promote LGBT health, the HRC Foundation Family Project works on
important LGBT health issues year round. HRC’s Healthcare Equality Index
(HEI), published annually, rates healthcare facilities on their
policies and practices related to LGBT patients and employees. The HEI
serves as a healthcare administrator’s benchmarking tool for identifying
best practices in LGBT patient-centered care and empowers patients to
encourage healthcare professionals to embrace LGBT healthcare equality.
Learn more at www.hrc.org/hei.
While the HEI is a vital tool for healthcare facilities and patients,
all LGBT individuals can protect themselves from healthcare
discrimination by creating legal documents, including a living will and
healthcare power of attorney. Learn more at: www.hrc.org/protect-your-rights.
LGBT Health Awareness Week is organized by the National Coalition for
LGBT Health with support from its planning committee partners, which in
addition to HRC include: the Community of LGBT Centers (CenterLink), the
Gay and Lesbian Medical Association (GLMA), the International
Federation of Black Prides, Lambda Legal, the LBGT Caucus of the
American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA), Legacy Community Health
Center, the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, the Network for LGBT
Health Equity, and OutHealth: A Program of Health Imperatives. Learn
more about Health Awareness Week at www.lgbthealth.net. Read HRC’s Health Awareness Week blog posts at www.hrcbackstory.org.