Health disparities are how disease, injury, and violence affect marginalized communities differently than others. Health disparities typically result from a lack of access to adequate healthcare.
In 2016, the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities identified the LGBTQ+ community as a health disparity population.2 The LGBTQ+ community encompasses all races, ethnicities, religions, and social classes. And when an LGBTQ+ person belongs to another marginalized group—such as a person of color—it becomes even more challenging to find accessible, equitable care.
Reasons for Health Disparities in the LGBTQ+ Community
“These health disparities tend to amplify due to the intersectionality of oppression,” Kristen Martinez, an LGBTQ+ affirmative counselor at Pacific NorthWell in Seattle, Wash., told Health.
In 2017, the Center for American Progress published a nationally representative survey of LGBTQ+ people. The survey found that nearly one in 10 LGBTQ+ individuals reported that a healthcare professional refused to see them in the prior year. Those individuals attributed the discrimination to their actual or perceived sexual orientation.
In the same survey, almost three in 10 transgender people reported that healthcare providers would not see them because of their gender identity.
“Lack of access to health insurance and quality coverage, greater vulnerability to poverty, and unwelcoming and discriminatory social environments all play a role,” explained Durso
“Those discriminatory environments cause LGBTQ+ people to experience minority stress,” continued Durso. “The stress [is] associated with experiencing both institutional and interpersonal stigmas because of one’s sexual orientation or gender identity, which is associated with negative health outcomes.”
Health Disparities in LGBTQ+ Community
Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)
In the United States, gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (MSM) are most affected by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Adolescent and adult gay and bisexual men made up 68% of new HIV diagnoses in the United States in 2018.4 Condomless sex is one of the most significant risk factors for getting or transmitting HIV.
Gay and bisexual men are also at a higher risk for other STIs than others. Chlamydia, syphilis, and gonorrhea also significantly increase the risk of getting or transmitting HIV.
Additionally, some evidence suggests that LGBTQ+ people are more likely to have the human papillomavirus virus (HPV). Gay, bisexual, and MSM are 20 times more likely than heterosexual men to develop anal cancer.6 Certain strains of HPV cause anal cancer. Also, some strains of HPV are the cause of cervical cancer. But it’s also a risk factor for anogenital cancers. HPV also links to head and neck malignancies due to transmission of the virus via oral sex.
Breast and Cervical Cancers
Although there isn’t conclusive evidence, breast and cervical cancers may disproportionately affect the LGBTQ+ community.
For example, some research suggests that lesbian and bisexual women have a higher risk of breast cancer than others. Increased substance abuse and stress among lesbian and bisexual women compared to the general population may contribute to that risk.
Also, other evidence suggests that lesbian and bisexual women are less likely to receive regular cervical cancer screenings than others. A lack of cervical cancer screenings among the LGBTQ+ community may lead to higher rates of cervical cancer.
Also, transgender men and non-binary people who can become pregnant may have less access to screenings and reproductive healthcare. Some evidence suggests that healthcare providers may assume a person’s biological sex based on appearance or gender expression.