Particular health issues and inequalities affect the LGBTQIA+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Asexual, and Other Gender and Sexual Minority) group. The special health needs of LGBTQIA+ community residents will be the main emphasis of this health promotion strategy. By treating this population’s physical, mental, and social health, the plan seeks to enhance their general well-being.
Scenario
Imagine holding an in-person health promotion session with ten LGBTQIA+ residents of a city. Individuals between the ages of 18 and 30 who are diverse in terms of color and ethnicity, educational attainment, and work status make up the selected population. Among the many difficulties this population experiences include stigma, discrimination, a lack of access to comprehensive healthcare, and a higher prevalence of mental health problems.
Importance of LGBTQIA+ Health Promotion
Those who identify as LGBTQIA+ are more likely than heterosexual and cisgender people to face health inequities. Numerous reasons contribute to these inequities, including restricted access to healthcare services, cultural competency gaps among healthcare workers, and societal discrimination. By concentrating on LGBTQIA+ health promotion, we can remove these obstacles and enhance this community’s general health and well-being.
LGBTQIA+ people frequently experience bias and discrimination in healthcare settings, which causes them to put off seeking care and forego necessary medical procedures. Untreated medical issues and decreased health consequences may arise from these encounters. Establishing a health promotion plan that targets particular health issues and strives to create a healthcare setting that is welcoming, affirming, and accessible to LGBTQIA+ people is therefore essential.
Analysis of LGBTQIA+ Health Concerns
There are numerous health inequalities and obstacles that LGBTQIA+ people must overcome, which calls for targeted health promotion initiatives. A crucial concern is the increased likelihood of mental health disorders in this demographic. According to minority stress theory, stigma, discrimination, and societal bias experienced by LGBTQIA+ people have a major role in the development of mental health problems. Studies show that compared to their heterosexual counterparts, LGBTQIA+ people are more likely to experience depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts. (CDC, 2019). For this reason, it is critical that any plan for health promotion for this demographic address mental health issues.
LGBTQIA+ people experience differences in their physical and emotional health. Due to their higher number of sexual partners and lower rates of regular condom usage, they are more vulnerable to STIs. Substance abuse is a serious issue as well since LGBTQIA+ people report greater rates of alcohol, tobacco, and drug use. These practices impact both physical and mental health issues.
LGBTQIA+ communities are more likely to experience some diseases, such as anal and cervical cancer (Polek & Hardie, 2020). These discrepancies are partly caused by a lack of knowledge about screenings and preventative measures and obstacles to receiving healthcare. Gender-affirming healthcare is an issue for transgender and gender non-conforming individuals. There may be barriers to accessing gender-affirming surgery and hormone therapy, which raises the hazards of using non-medical gender transition techniques. In 2022, Ussher et al. did a study with 216 LGBT patients and discovered that the LGBT community had greater rates of cancer screening gaps during the previous three years than their heterosexual counterparts. The most noticeable gaps were observed in the bisexual, transgender, queer, and non-binary communities.
Development of a Sociogram
Making a sociogram that considers the socioeconomic, cultural, and lifestyle aspects affecting the LGBTQIA+ population is crucial to developing a successful health promotion plan. The resources available in the community are essential to promoting their health and well-being. For example, LGBTQIA+ community centers provide a secure environment for socializing, access to resources and information, and support groups.
It’s important to find healthcare professionals who accept LGBTQIA+ patients. These healthcare facilities, which include hospitals and clinics that provide culturally sensitive care, ought to be mapped out using a sociogram. Improving health outcomes requires forming relationships with medical professionals that are sensitive to gender identity and sexual orientation, as well as being informed about LGBTQIA+ health issues.
The sociogram can also map out the social support networks that are part of the LGBTQIA+ community. These networks play a critical role in fostering community, resolving mental health issues, and minimizing social isolation. Collaborative approaches also include finding possible allies and groups that support LGBTQIA+ rights and health fairness.
Identifying Learning Needs and SMART Goals
Customizing the health promotion strategy requires understanding the unique learning requirements of LGBTQIA+ individuals. A person’s age, gender identity, and past knowledge may all influence these learning requirements. Among the possible learning requirements are:
- Safer Sexual Behavior: Instruction on appropriate sexual behavior, such as the use of condoms, routine STI testing, and PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis) to prevent HIV.
- Mental Health Awareness: Knowledge about identifying symptoms of mental health problems, developing coping mechanisms, and getting mental health services.
- Gender-Affirming Healthcare: Help in navigating the medical system to get mental health services, hormone therapy, and operations that promote gender identity.
- Coping with Minority Stress: Self-care and mindfulness practices are among the stress-reduction tactics for handling prejudice and stigma.
With the LGBTQIA+ participants, SMART goals should be developed to ensure they are reachable, quantifiable, and practical.
Expectations and Meeting Participant Needs
Establishing a secure and welcoming atmosphere is essential to the instructional session’s success. The session is expected to address participants’ concerns, encourage open communication, provide evidence-based information, and facilitate peer support networks. It is critical to recognize the diversity within the LGBTQIA+ community, respect unique pronouns and identities, and speak inclusively. Participants’ ability to understand and apply the material is ensured by designing the curriculum with various educational backgrounds in mind.
Furthermore, offering resources and connections to LGBTQIA+-friendly medical professionals and support groups is critical. Participants are then more equipped to take initiative and improve their health. Inspiring others to share their knowledge and perspectives can promote a sense of belonging and support among people.
Health Promotion Goals
The LGBTQIA+ community’s health promotion objectives should be specific, quantifiable, and suitable for the intended audience. These objectives must consider the particular health issues and correspond with the recognized learning needs. The following SMART targets would be set to track the goal’s progress:
- 100% of participants will be able to accurately name two local resources and at least three threats to the mental and physical health of the LGBTQIA+ community by the end of the session plan.
- Pre/post polls show that 90% of participants will feel more at ease talking openly about their sexuality and gender identity with medical professionals by the end of the session plan.
- According to follow-up calls one and three months after the program, 90% of participants will have contacted at least one other LGBTQIA+ group member to obtain peer support by the end of the session plan.
In conclusion, the LGBTQIA+ health promotion plan is crucial to meeting this community’s needs. A successful educational plan must first recognize LGBTQIA+ health promotion, analyze health issues, and consider sociocultural factors. Identifying learning requirements, setting SMART objectives, and creating an inclusive atmosphere that promotes behavior change and good health helps reduce health inequalities and improve LGBTQIA+ well-being. I hope this health promotion initiative sparks a culture where LGBTQIA+ individuals thrive. We aim to reduce stigma and discrimination in this community through inclusivity, awareness-building, and culturally competent treatment. By working together and showing dedication, we can create a future where LGBTQIA+ people have equal happiness and health opportunities. We can make the world more welcoming, egalitarian, and inclusive.
References
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2020). Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender health. https://www.cdc.gov/lgbthealth/
Polek, C., & Hardie, T. (2020). Cancer screening and prevention in lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community and Asian lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender members. Asia-Pacific Journal of Oncology Nursing, 7(1), 6. https://doi.org/10.4103/apjon.apjon_46_19
Ussher, J. M., Allison, K., Perz, J., & Power, R. (2022). LGBTQI cancer patients’ quality of life and distress: A comparison by gender, sexuality, age, cancer type and geographical remoteness. Frontiers in Oncology, 12, 873642. https://doi.org/10.3389/fonc.2022.873642
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