Examining barriers to healthcare for transgender individuals

The article appeared in Transgender Health.

Transgender individuals experience barriers to healthcare, including discrimination in care provision and lack of knowledge about transgender health. CHASS doctoral student Lauren Porsch and her co-investigators assessed New York City transgender and gender nonconforming individuals’ sexual and reproductive health needs, access to services, and interest in receiving services from Planned Parenthood of NYC, using an anonymous Internet-based survey. They found that while almost 75% of respondent avoided or delayed healthcare in the past year, the majority adhered to medically indicated sexual reproductive health screenings. Although the majority of transgender individuals in our sample received recommended SRH screenings, respondents reported barriers to accessing needed medical care. Healthcare organizations interested in better serving the transgender community should ensure a high level of training around transsensitivity and explore the provision of transgender-specific services.

Ms. Porsch observes that, “Our study confirmed prior research indicating that transgender and gender non-conforming individuals face barriers to accessing medical care, including experiencing discrimination in health care settings and not being able to find providers who are knowledgeable about their health care needs. In addition, the study assessed TGNC community members’ use of sexual and reproductive health care services and their interest in receiving services at Planned Parenthood of New York City (PPNYC). Respondents indicated that health care provider training in transgender sensitivity and the availability of transgender-specific health care services were important to them. These findings dovetailed with the organization’s ongoing work to improve access to care for those who need it most. Recently, PPNYC announced it would begin providing transgender hormone therapy services beginning this December.”

Porsch Lauren M., Dayananda Ila, and Dean Gillian. An Exploratory Study of Transgender New Yorkers’ Use of Sexual Health Services and Interest in Receiving Services at Planned Parenthood of New York City. Transgender Health. November 2016, 1(1): 231-237. doi:10.1089/trgh.2016.0032.