UK College of Nursing, UK Office for Institutional Diversity Highlight Transgender Health Disparities
By Gail Hairston, Elizabeth Adams
Social stigmas, discrimination and infringement of civil rights have led to health care disparities impacting individuals who are transgender.
According to UK College of Nursing assistant research professor Amanda Fallin, members of this population have higher rates of smoking, higher rates of drug abuse and higher rates of HIV infection than the general population. In addition, a recent study indicated that 41 percent of transgender people have considered or attempted suicide. Sixty percent of the participants in this study reported a doctor or health care provider had refused to treat them.
Transgender Remembrance Day on Nov. 20 brings visibility to acts of violence and bigotry experienced by transgender and gender non-conforming individuals. The UK College of Nursing and the UK Office for Institutional Diversity’s Office of LGBTQ* Resources will spread awareness of the health disparities affecting members of the transgender community in the lead up to Transgender Remembrance Day Nov. 20. Representatives will distribute resources on promoting equality and inclusivity on UK’s campus and in health care settings from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the common area outside the UK College of Nursing.
Fallin said reducing transgender heath disparities begins with creating welcome, inclusive environments for individuals to seek out health care. The Health Professionals Advancing Equality (GLMA) maintains a list of LGBT-friendly and competent providers. However, there are only 18 Kentucky providers on the list. The UK College of Nursing will offer assistance helping providers join the registry throughout the day.
“The UK College of Nursing is committed to increasing diversity and inclusivity,” Fallin said. “We need to prepare our students to tailor their services to care for this population. We also want to encourage more Kentucky providers to promote their own LGBT-friendly and competent health services. We know many providers in Kentucky are currently providing excellent care to the LGBT population, and we want to help them advertise that service.”
Lance Poston, director of the Office of LGBTQ* Resources, said this collaboration with the UK College of Nursing represents an effort to build bridges across campus to highlight the experiences of LGBTQ individuals.
“Some of the most important spaces to foster inclusivity and build cultural competencies to better support LGBTQ* Kentuckians is in our hospitals and clinics,” Poston said. “We hope that the information we provide at this event will continue an ongoing process of making the University of Kentucky an inclusive space for everyone to work, learn and receive world-class care.”
For more information on the GLMA registry, click here.
