In Huffington Post, 'LGBT Youth' co-author Sean Cahill argues for greater focus on gay health issues

By: Shaun Manning | Date: February 26, 2013
In Huffington Post, 'LGBT Youth' co-author Sean Cahill argues for greater focus on gay health issues

Sean Cahill, co-author with Jason Cianciotto of LGBT Youth in America's Schools, contributed to a Huffington Post op-ed on health issues and health policies affecting the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender communities. Cahill, along with co-writers Harvey Makadon, Kellan Baker, and JoAnne Keatley, notes that until recently LGBT people "have been invisible in health care."

"Most providers do not ask about sexual orientation or gender identity, nor are they trained in the unique health care needs of LGBT people or the health disparities they experience," the authors write. They further note that there are concerns that go beyond identity--gay/straight--and into behavior, for example when a man who identifies as straight has sex with another man. In this case, the distinction matters because " these men were less likely to use condoms than men who identified as gay," a probability that carries implications for health treatment.

Cahill and his co-authors see room for hope arising from the Obama administration's policies and initiatives, which include platforms for new research and recommendations for improving treatment. "Asking about sexual orientation and gender identity in clinical settings is a critical step that will enhance our knowledge of LGBT population health and improve patient-provider interactions," the authors say. "Some say that requiring providers or clinic staff to gather these data would be burdensome. In our view, LGBT health disparities are even more troublesome. Gathering LGBT data will improve providers' knowledge of their patients' experiences, needs and concerns, leading to better quality of care and health outcomes. Importantly, the Affordable Care Act and other federal regulations establish standards for the privacy and confidentiality of data included in electronic health records."

Read the entire op-ed at the Huffington Post, and check out LGBT Youth in America's Schools for a comprehensive discussion of the issues facing gay and lesbian students.