TY - JOUR
T1 - Differences in Health Care Access, Utilization, and Experiences Among LGBTQ+ Subgroups in the Southern United States
AU - Holt, Natalie R.
AU - Eldridge-Smith, Elizabeth D.
AU - Griffin, James A.
AU - Stepleman, Lara M.
AU - Drescher, Christopher F.
AU - Casanova, Tracy
N1 - Funding Information:
This material is based on the work supported by the Office of Academic Affiliations, Department of Veterans Affairs; VA National Quality Scholars Program; with use of facilities at VA Tennessee Valley Healthcare System, Nashville, Tennessee.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2023 Lippincott Williams and Wilkins. All rights reserved.
PY - 2023/1/1
Y1 - 2023/1/1
N2 - Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and other sexual and gender minority (LGBTQ+) individuals experience health inequities and barriers to accessing appropriate, affirming care. Little is known about differing health care experiences within the LGBTQ+ population, particularly among individuals living in underserved areas. This study explored health care experiences and utilization among LGBTQ+ subgroups: lesbian and gay cisgender individuals (n = 258), bisexual+ cisgender individuals (n = 71), and transgender and gender-diverse individuals (n = 80). Participants were recruited from a geographic region in South Carolina and Georgia and completed an online survey regarding negative health care experiences, barriers to care, and utilization of different health care venues and services. Results revealed significant differences between LGBTQ+ subgroups, with transgender and gender-diverse participants reporting more discriminatory experiences and greater barriers to care. Bisexual+ cisgender individuals also experienced some disparities compared with lesbian and gay cisgender individuals. Most participants endorsed a need for more competent providers. Findings and recommendations are considered within the context of the Southeastern United States for addressing access and utilization disparities among LGBTQ+ communities.
AB - Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and other sexual and gender minority (LGBTQ+) individuals experience health inequities and barriers to accessing appropriate, affirming care. Little is known about differing health care experiences within the LGBTQ+ population, particularly among individuals living in underserved areas. This study explored health care experiences and utilization among LGBTQ+ subgroups: lesbian and gay cisgender individuals (n = 258), bisexual+ cisgender individuals (n = 71), and transgender and gender-diverse individuals (n = 80). Participants were recruited from a geographic region in South Carolina and Georgia and completed an online survey regarding negative health care experiences, barriers to care, and utilization of different health care venues and services. Results revealed significant differences between LGBTQ+ subgroups, with transgender and gender-diverse participants reporting more discriminatory experiences and greater barriers to care. Bisexual+ cisgender individuals also experienced some disparities compared with lesbian and gay cisgender individuals. Most participants endorsed a need for more competent providers. Findings and recommendations are considered within the context of the Southeastern United States for addressing access and utilization disparities among LGBTQ+ communities.
KW - Georgia
KW - South Carolina
KW - health services accessibility
KW - medically underserved area
KW - sexual and gender minorities
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85142402653&partnerID=8YFLogxK
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U2 - 10.1097/FCH.0000000000000340
DO - 10.1097/FCH.0000000000000340
M3 - Article
C2 - 35943219
AN - SCOPUS:85142402653
SN - 0160-6379
VL - 46
SP - 58
EP - 68
JO - Family and Community Health
JF - Family and Community Health
IS - 1
ER -
