We know that lesbian, bisexual and queer women ( LBQ ) experience significant health disparities compared to the general population—and they require dedicated attention to properly address. For example, lesbian and bisexual women have higher rates of breast cancer compared to their heterosexual counterparts, and they are less likely to receive routine health care, including breast and cervical cancer screening.
Studies clearly indicate that LBQ women are also disproportionately impacted by other health issues, such as depression and anxiety, substance use, smoking and obesity. We know that these issues are compounded by social and economic inequities, which create barriers for this population to access health care. For example, LBQ women have historically had lower rates of health-insurance coverage due to health-insurance policies ( prior to the implementation of the Affordable Care Act ) being tied to heterosexual marriage. LBQ women have also experienced higher rates of real or perceived discrimination by healthcare providers, which keep these women from getting the care they need. Ultimately, barriers such as these only contribute to the worsening of LBQ women's health outcomes.
In recent years, we have made progress to close the disparity gap between LBQ women and the general population, as well as address these barriers to care. However, these health issues in our community persist, and there is still important work to be done to meet these needs.
During May and June, Howard Brown Health Center ( HBHC ) will host five community town-hall meetings focused on the health needs and lives of Chicago's diverse LGBTQ community. On Monday, May 19, 6-7:30 p.m., we invite LBQ women to gather at the Brown Elephant Resale Store, 3651 N. Halsted St., to participate in the second of these five sessions. This meeting will provide an opportunity for LBQ women to discuss these issues, as well as their other health needs, barriers and areas of resiliency.
We want to hear from you so that we can better serve you.
HBHC is hosting these meetings as a part of our community needs assessment, which is conducted every five years to get a better understanding of the LGBTQ community's unique health needs and concerns. Feedback gathered from this Community Town Hall meeting will be used for planning and quality improvement purposes, and will be compiled and shared widely with the larger community to garner public support for LGBTQ health initiatives.
We are eager to hear your stories, and we encourage you to join us in person or via twitter using hashtag #HBHCTownHalls! HBHC leadership and staff look forward to having these important discussions with the community.
Betsy Rubinstein, MA, LSW, is manager of the Lesbian Community Care Project.
