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Hascher K, Jaiswal J, LoSchiavo C, Ezell J, Duffalo D, Greene RE, Cox A, Burton WM, Griffin M, John T, Grin B, Halkitis PN. Lack of Informed and Affirming Healthcare for Sexual Minority Men: A Call for Patient-Centered Care. J Gen Intern Med 2024; 39:2023-2032. [PMID: 38308157 DOI: 10.1007/s11606-024-08635-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 02/04/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sexual minority men (SMM) face severe health inequities alongside negative experiences that drive avoidance of medical care. Understanding how SMM experience healthcare is paramount to improving this population's health. Patient-centered care, which emphasizes mutual respect and collaboration between patients and providers, may alleviate the disparaging effects of the homophobia that SMM face in healthcare settings. OBJECTIVE To explore how SMM perceive their experiences with healthcare providers and how care can most effectively meet their needs. DESIGN Semi-structured qualitative interviews focused on healthcare experiences, pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), and HIV-related beliefs were conducted between July and November 2018. PARTICIPANTS The study included a sample of 43 young adult SMM (ages 25-27), representing diverse socioeconomic, racial, and ethnic backgrounds, in New York City. APPROACH Researchers utilized a multiphase, systematic coding method to identify salient themes in the interview transcripts. KEY RESULTS Analyses revealed three main themes: (1) SMM perceived that their clinicians often lack adequate skills and knowledge required to provide care that considers participants' identities and behaviors; (2) SMM desired patient-centered care as a way to regain agency and actively participate in making decisions about their health; and (3) SMM felt that patient-centered care was more common with providers who were LGBTQ-affirming, including many who felt that this was especially true for LGBTQ-identified providers. CONCLUSIONS SMM expressed a clear and strong desire for patient-centered approaches to care, often informed by experiences with healthcare providers who were unable to adequately meet their needs. However, widespread adoption of patient-centered care will require improving education and training for clinicians, with a focus on LGBTQ-specific clinical care and cultural humility. Through centering patients' preferences and experiences in the construction of care, patient-centered care can reduce health inequities among SMM and empower healthcare utilization in a population burdened by historic and ongoing stigmatization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin Hascher
- Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Jessica Jaiswal
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Alabama, Birmingham School of Medicine, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA.
- Center for Interdisciplinary Research on AIDS, Yale University School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, 06510, USA.
- Center for Health, Identity, Behavior and Prevention Studies (CHIBPS), Rutgers School of Public Health, Newark, NJ, 07102, USA.
- Heersink School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA.
| | - Caleb LoSchiavo
- Center for Health, Identity, Behavior and Prevention Studies (CHIBPS), Rutgers School of Public Health, Newark, NJ, 07102, USA
- Department of Health Behavior, Society and Policy, Rutgers School of Public Health, Piscataway, NJ, 08854, USA
| | - Jerel Ezell
- Department of Community Health Sciences, UC Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
- Center for Cultural Humility, UC Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Danika Duffalo
- School of Medicine, Creighton University, Phoenix, AZ, USA
| | - Richard E Greene
- Department of Medicine, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, 10001, USA
| | - Amanda Cox
- Culverhouse College of Business, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL, USA
| | - Wanda M Burton
- Capstone College of Nursing, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL, 35401, USA
| | - Marybec Griffin
- Department of Health Behavior, Society and Policy, Rutgers School of Public Health, Piscataway, NJ, 08854, USA
| | - Tejossy John
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Alabama, Birmingham School of Medicine, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA
| | - Benjamin Grin
- Department of Primary Care, Kansas City University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Kansas City, MO, 64106, USA
| | - Perry N Halkitis
- Center for Health, Identity, Behavior and Prevention Studies (CHIBPS), Rutgers School of Public Health, Newark, NJ, 07102, USA
- Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Rutgers School of Public Health, Piscataway, NJ, 08854, USA
- Department of Urban-Global Public Health, Rutgers School of Public Health, Newark, NJ, 07102, USA
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Ertl MM, Maroney MR, Becker A, Paschen-Wolff MM, Blankenau A, Hoffman S, Tross S. Sexual and Reproductive Justice and Health Equity for LGBTQ+ Women. JOURNAL OF LESBIAN STUDIES 2024:1-29. [PMID: 38946155 DOI: 10.1080/10894160.2024.2369434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/02/2024]
Abstract
LGBTQ+ women have long been overlooked in sexual and reproductive health research. However, recent research has established that LGBTQ+ women have unique and specific needs that need to be addressed in order to improve effectiveness of sexual health education and practice with this historically and presently underserved population. Informed by a reproductive justice framework coupled with liberation psychology theory, this review discusses the current state of sexual and reproductive health and technologies among LGBTQ+ women. In particular, we focus on a range of HIV prevention and reproductive technologies and their use and promotion, including the internal condom, abortion, oral contraceptives, dapivirine ring, HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis, intrauterine device, and other less studied options, such as the contraceptive sponge. Grounded in an intersectional framing, this review acknowledges the intersecting systems of oppression that affect multiply marginalized women inequitably and disproportionately. A sociohistorical, critical lens is applied to acknowledge the well-documented racist origins of reproductive health technologies and ongoing coercive practices that have led to medical mistrust among marginalized and stigmatized communities, particularly racialized LGBTQ+ women, women with disabilities, and women who are poor or incarcerated. Moreover, we discuss the urgent need to center LGBTQ+ women in research and clinical care, community-engaged health promotion efforts, affirming non-heteronormative sexual health education, and health policies that prioritize autonomy and dismantle structural barriers for this population. We conclude with recommendations and future directions in this area to remedy entrenched disparities in health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa M Ertl
- Department of Psychology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Meredith R Maroney
- Department of Counseling and School Psychology, University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Andréa Becker
- Department of Sociology, Hunter College, New York, NY, USA
| | - Margaret M Paschen-Wolff
- Department of Psychiatry, Division on Substance Use Disorders, New York State Psychiatric Institute, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Amelia Blankenau
- Department of Psychology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Susie Hoffman
- Department of Psychiatry, HIV Center for Clinical and Behavioral Studies at New York State Psychiatric Institute and Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, New York, NY, USA
| | - Susan Tross
- Department of Psychiatry, Division on Substance Use Disorders, New York State Psychiatric Institute, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, HIV Center for Clinical and Behavioral Studies at New York State Psychiatric Institute and Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
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LeBlanc ME, Trinh MH, Zubizarreta D, Reisner SL. Healthcare stereotype threat, healthcare access, and health outcomes in a probability sample of U.S. transgender and gender diverse adults. Prev Med Rep 2024; 42:102734. [PMID: 38659996 PMCID: PMC11039338 DOI: 10.1016/j.pmedr.2024.102734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2023] [Revised: 04/14/2024] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Health inequities among transgender and gender diverse (TGD) populations are well-documented and may be partially explained by the complex social power dynamics that lead to stigmatization. Healthcare Stereotype Threat (HCST) refers to the fear and threat of being perceived negatively based on identity-related stereotypes and may influence health and healthcare experiences. Few studies have investigated associations of HCST with healthcare access and health outcomes for TGD individuals. Methods We analyzed the U.S. Transgender Population Health Survey, a cross-sectional national probability sample of 274 TGD adults recruited April 2016-December 2018. Participants self-reported HCST through a 4-item scale. We estimated prevalence ratios (PR) for the association between HCST and binary healthcare access indicators and health outcomes using Poisson models with robust variance. Prevalence ratios (PR) were estimated using negative binomial models for the association between HCST and number of past-month poor physical and mental health days. Models adjusted for sociodemographics and medical gender affirmation. Results The mean age was 34.2 years; 30.9 % identified as transgender men, 37.8 % transgender women, and 31.3 % genderqueer/nonbinary. HCST threat was associated with increased prevalence of not having a personal doctor/healthcare provider (PR = 1.25; 95 %CI = 1.00-1.56) and reporting fair/poor general health vs good/very good/excellent health (PR = 1.92; 95 %CI = 1.37-2.70). Higher HCST was also associated with more frequent past-month poor physical (PR = 1.34; 95 %CI = 1.12-1.59) and mental (PR = 1.49; 95 %CI = 1.33-1.66) health days. Conclusion HCST may contribute to adverse healthcare access and health outcomes in TGD populations, though prospective studies are needed. Multilevel interventions are recommended to create safe, gender-affirming healthcare environments that mitigate HCST.
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Affiliation(s)
- Merrily E. LeBlanc
- The Fenway Institute, Fenway Health, 1340 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02215, United States
- Department of Sociology and Anthropology, Northeastern University, 900 Renaissance Park, 1135 Tremont St, Boston, MA 02120, United States
| | - Mai-Han Trinh
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, 677 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, United States
| | - Dougie Zubizarreta
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, 677 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, United States
| | - Sari L. Reisner
- The Fenway Institute, Fenway Health, 1340 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02215, United States
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Michigan School of Public Health, 1415 Washington Heights, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, 677 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, United States
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, 677 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, United States
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Saunders RK, Carr DC, Burdette AM. Health Care Stereotype Threat and Sexual and Gender Minority Well-Being. JOURNAL OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL BEHAVIOR 2024; 65:20-37. [PMID: 37905532 DOI: 10.1177/00221465231205549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2023]
Abstract
Sexual and gender minorities (SGMs) have experienced progressive change over the last 50 years. However, this group still reports worse health and health care experiences. An innovative survey instrument that applies stereotype threat to the health care setting, health care stereotype threat (HCST), offers a new avenue to examine these disparities. We harmonized two national probability data sets of SGMs-Generations and TransPop-capturing 503 gay men, 297 lesbians, 467 bisexuals, and 221 trans people. Using these data, we, first, explored how HCST's association with self-rated health and psychological distress changed while considering more established constructs: discrimination and stigma. Second, we examined how HCST's association varied across SGM groups. Results suggest that HCST is a unique predictor net of the associations with discrimination and stigma. Furthermore, results highlight the more consequential associations for trans people on well-being compared to gay men. We discuss implications of these findings for future research and potential interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Kyle Saunders
- Knowli Data Science, Tallahassee, FL, USA
- Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, USA
| | - Dawn C Carr
- Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, USA
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Singleton MC, Green DC, Enguidanos SM. Identifying Healthcare Stereotype Threat in Older Gay Men Living with HIV. J Appl Gerontol 2023; 42:1965-1973. [PMID: 37040260 DOI: 10.1177/07334648231167944] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Healthcare stereotype threat (HCST) is defined as "being reduced to group stereotypes within an individual's healthcare encounter," leading to experiences of stigma and discrimination. This current study explores how older gay men living with HIV attribute their healthcare experiences to their social identities. Using HCST as a guiding framework, a content and structural coding analysis was conducted on transcripts from 11 interviews of older gay men living with HIV. The majority of HCST experiences were connected to the social identities of sexual orientation, HIV status, and age. Many of the healthcare experiences that participants discussed were related to interactions with healthcare providers and the attitudes of healthcare providers. This study illustrates how participants attributed social identities to healthcare experiences that showed qualities of HCST. These outcomes highlight how marginalized social identities impacted the lifetime healthcare experiences of this group of older gay men living with HIV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mekiayla C Singleton
- Leonard Davis School of Gerontology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Daniel C Green
- School of Social Work, Salisbury University, Salisbury, MA, USA
| | - Susan M Enguidanos
- Leonard Davis School of Gerontology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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Gustafson KE, Manning WD, Kamp Dush CM. Emotional support among partnered sexual minority and heterosexual individuals during the COVID-19 pandemic. SOCIAL SCIENCE RESEARCH 2023; 114:102910. [PMID: 37597926 PMCID: PMC10492653 DOI: 10.1016/j.ssresearch.2023.102910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2022] [Revised: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 08/21/2023]
Abstract
Emotional support, particularly support from family and friends, is essential to health outcomes especially for marginalized communities. Although emotional support is recognized as a critical resource, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, to date no research has examined access to support during the pandemic for sexual diverse populations. This study aims to apply minority stress theory by drawing on a new population-based data source of 3,642 respondents, the National Couples' Health and Time Study (NCHAT), which oversampled sexual and gender diverse populations during the pandemic. We focus on two sources of emotional support: family members and friends. Exclusively heterosexual respondents relied more on emotional support from family than respondents who identified as exclusively gay/lesbian, bisexual including pan, omni, and queer, and those reporting another sexual identity or multiple sexual identities. However, respondents who did not identify as heterosexual relied more on emotional support from friends compared to exclusively heterosexual respondents. There were no significant differences among respondents with sexual minority identities in regard to family or friend support. Other factors, such as outness to friends and family, identity centrality, aggressions, and relationship satisfaction are found to be associated support from friends and family. The findings presented here add to a growing body of work on social support while adding sexual minority-specific factors that may affect receipt of, need for, and outcomes relating to support. This work contributes to understanding of the social climate and resources available to sexual diverse populations during a major public health crisis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristen E Gustafson
- Department of Sociology and Center for Family and Demographic Research, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, OH, 43403, USA.
| | - Wendy D Manning
- Department of Sociology and Center for Family and Demographic Research, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, OH, 43403, USA
| | - Claire M Kamp Dush
- Department of Sociology, Minnesota Population Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
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