June is Pride Month. Which is the “most visible symbol of the global movement for [LGBTQIA+] equality, celebrating progress, affirming the existence of [LGBTQIA+] people, and demanding recognition of their basic human rights”. In honor of Pride Month, JaxCareConnect would like to take this time to highlight the health disparities that disproportionately affect the LGBTQIA+ community. We highlight these disparities because they are associated with enormous inequities and, viewed through the lens of social determinants, are a key driver of poor health.
Did you know that the disparities linked with “societal stigma, discrimination, and denial of civil and human rights… have been associated with high rates of psychiatric disorders, substance abuse, and suicide” among the LGBTQIA+ community? Historically, the United States has allowed “legal discrimination in access to health insurance, employment, housing, marriage, adoption, and retirement benefits” against the LGBTQIA+ community. All these inequities lead to LGBTQIA+ statistics like: “youth being 2 to 3 times more likely to attempt suicide, lesbians being less likely to get preventive services for cancer, gay men being at higher risk of HIV and other STDs, especially among communities of color”, and the list goes on. From this, one can conclude that because of our country’s history and continued perpetuation of violence and persecution against LGBTQIA+ individuals, the consequences of this cruelty costs lives.
JaxCareConnect believes that health, and access to health care, is a basic right that all humans are entitled to – regardless of race, gender, orientation, socioeconomic and citizenship status, or abilities. With that being said, if you or someone you know need access to health care in Duval County, JaxCareConnect can help. Call us at 904-595-7770 or visit our website for more info: https://jaxcareconnect.org.
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