Providing care for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender immigrants at health centers and clinics

Year Published:

Abstract

Approximately 637,000 lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender (LGBT)-identified documented adult immigrants live in the United States.1 LGBT people face persecution in dozens of countries around the world, where having an LGBT identity may be criminalized or even punishable by death.1 LGBT immigrants have often survived traumatic experiences in their countries of origin. In the United States, some LGBT immigrants may also suffer violence and retraumatization. Both LGBT immigrants and nonimmigrants may experience significant stigma-related health disparities, which range from mental health problems to sexually-transmitted infections. LGBT immigrants, in particular, also face challenges accessing culturally-competent health care, which has the potential to reduce health disparities.2,3 Providers at community health centers, psychiatrists involved in integrated care settings, and consult-liaison psychiatrists embedded in hospital staff can support LGBT immigrants in overcoming disparities in health through implementation of best practices that meet the unique needs of these communities and improve engagement of LGBT immigrants in collaborative, affirming, and high-quality primary care and psychiatric care.

Citation

Relevant Evidence Summaries

The evidence was reviewed and included in the following summaries: 

Image of person with Pride flag

What works to support LGBTQ refugees?

As yet, there are no published outcome evaluations of programs or practices specifically for LGBTQ refugees. Existing best practice recommendations are based on stakeholder consensus. ▪ Three separate stakeholder consensus reports all yield similar recommendations for addressing the unique needs of this population. All recommendations revolve around creating a “safe space” through specific practices. Evidence […]

About this study

AGE: Adults

DIRECTION OF EVIDENCE: No evidence about impact

FULL TEXT AVAILABILITY: Free

GENDER: All

HOST COUNTRY: Multiple countries

HOST COUNTRY INCOME: High

OUTCOME AREA: Health

POPULATION: Immigrants

STRENGTH OF EVIDENCE: Suggestive

TYPE OF STUDY: Suggestive evidence

YEAR PUBLISHED: 2018

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