With
the goal of securing quality healthcare free of prejudice and
discrimination for all Americans, the Human Rights Campaign Foundation,
the educational arm of the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, and
transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization, today announced the
formation of an innovative, wide-ranging Health and Aging Program. The
new program will address both the health concerns of all LGBT Americans
and the particular challenges faced by LGBT elders, including
discrimination, mistreatment and isolation. According to a study by
MetLife, nearly one-third of gays and lesbians say discrimination based
on sexual orientation is their greatest concern about aging.
“LGBT elders deserve unbiased, equitable, and welcoming healthcare and
services,” said HRC President Chad Griffin. “HRC’s Health and Aging
program will help ensure they receive that care while expanding our
already highly effective work in the health arena.”
To head the Health and Aging program, HRC hired Shane Snowdon, a
seasoned advocate and nationally recognized expert on LGBT health and
wellness. Snowdon comes to HRC from the University of California San
Francisco, where she founded the acclaimed Center for LGBT Health &
Equity in 1999. Snowdon, who has served on the HRC Foundation
Healthcare Equality Index (HEI) national advisory council, has provided
training on LGBT healthcare to thousands of healthcare providers,
developed criteria for culturally competent and welcoming LGBT care, and
advocated for LGBT equality in a wide variety of settings.
“As a member of the first ‘out’ generation, I’m very excited about the
work ahead,” said Snowdon. “LGBT people face real challenges around
health and aging, and I look forward to making a real difference in
their lives through my work in this new program.”
The Health and Aging program will include HRC’s signature health initiative, the Healthcare Equality Index,
which showcases U.S. healthcare facilities that have demonstrated a
commitment to LGBT equity and inclusion. The HEI, which has focused
primarily on hospitals, will be expanded to survey and report on nursing
and long-term care facilities serving elders.
The Health and Aging Program will also address other critical needs,
including much-expanded LGBT training for healthcare and social services
providers. The program will additionally provide a wealth of resources
for LGBT people of all ages, designed to maximize their wellbeing and
minimize the inequities they encounter.