Health And Wellness In The LGBT Community

Defining health and wellness can be a difficult term to discuss says Kathleen. Involving not just the physical side, it also encompasses the mental and social well-being. Having a balance of these aspects lead to overall good health, and can create a better sense of well-being. As a member of the LGBT community, it can be a challenge to receive appropriate health care. This plays a major role in health status. If appropriate access to health care cannot be given, there is little opportunity to see improvements in one’s health. Compared to other community members Kathleen rates her personal wellness or health status as around the average. Her sexual orientation will be the reason for some of this difference, with health inequalities such as …show more content…
Beginning at the micro level, many changes can take place at the unit health care setting, and institution setting. Stigma must first be challenged at this level, this allows sexual and gender minorities to face barriers and consequences that influence their health (Institute of Medicine Report, 2011). Educating health care providers can be the best practise to address this issue, with over forty percent of physicians surveyed reporting being sometimes or often uncomfortable providing care to lesbian or gay patients (Institute of Medicine Report, 2011). This uncertainty is due to the lack of experience within the field, causing feelings of uneasiness for both the physician and patient, causing non-heterosexuals to not disclose important information regarding their health (Institute of Medicine Report, 2011). This requires greater training among those in the unit health care setting. Offering classes to train staff to be sensitive to sexual identities, introducing a practise policy on antidiscrimination, and being aware of specific health care needs such as cervical and reproduction health, can lead healthcare providers to develop cultural competence resulting in better treatment (McNair, 2003). Providing accesses to sensitive healthcare services was also proven to be the most effective in changing negative …show more content…
National government policies must implement funding for such programming, bringing to attention the growing epidemic of the poor quality of health care and support LGBT members are receiving. The government must step up and offer these supports on the national level, advocating the need to protect the well-being of every individual, recognizing the despair that occurs when good support structures are not available (Institute of Medicine Report, 2011). Not only will this lower depressive symptoms, stress levels, but give LGBT members more meaning in their lives (Institute of Medicine Report, 2011). Most importantly through the government raising the need for support will set an example for all communities to establish awareness, acceptance, human rights, and antidiscrimination legislation for those in need, creating opportunities to grow and develop support structures in the future (Institute of Medicine Report,