Introduction and Module Requirements: LGBTQ Health
The UP Team thanks Colin Bingham (E-23, Bozeman Foundations) for his time and feedback in reviewing this module.

Objectives:

After completing this module, students will be able to:

Describe the unique health disparities in the LGBTQ community;
Explain the root causes of health disparities in the LGBTQ community;
Understand different identity terms that LGBTQ people may use to describe themselves;
Identify key areas for improving their practice with LGBTQ patients

From the KFF report “LGBT+ People’s Health Status and Access to Care,” 2023:

The share of people in the United States who identifies as LGBT+ has increased substantially in recent years, particularly among younger generations, yet health disparities and health access-related challenges persist across multiple dimensions. Understanding the health care needs and experiences of the more than 7% of LGBT+-identified people in the United States, including the one-in-five younger adults from Generation Z, is important for addressing barriers and facilitating access to care and coverage. While in some areas, the health experiences of LGBT+ people mirror those of their non-LGBT+ counterparts, studies have found that this population experiences certain challenges at higher rates than those who identify as heterosexual and cisgender, challenges which intersect with factors beyond sexual orientation and gender identity to include race/ethnicity, class, nationality, and age, among other aspects of identity.

No matter your specialty or practice site, you will find yourself caring for LGBTQ patients. In order to provide competent and compassionate care, it is important that you understand the health care needs of LGBTQ persons, the health disparities in these communities, and the systemic barriers that perpetuate those disparities.

This module will allow you to explore a variety of topics in LGBTQ health. As LGBTQ populations cut across all other underserved communities (people of color, people living in poverty, rural, veterans, homeless, immigrant, refugee, etc.), it is important to understand how LGBTQ identity interacts with, complements, and complicates other aspects of identity.

Requirements for this module:

REVIEW the glossary of terms on the following page.
COMPLETE a total of TWO webinars/learning modules and read ONE publication from The National LGBT Health Education Center at Fenway Health. Create a free account to access this content.
WRITE two learning pearls (per webinar or publication) that you could teach on rounds or in clinic for your final assignment.
EVALUATE MODULE and its contribution to your education.
COMPLETE the Canvas Statement of Completion to attest to completing the module requirements.
RECORD completion of this module in your UP Tracker.