18.M. Workshop: Institutional barriers and support influencing the health and well-being of LGBT individuals

Abstract

Abstract Research studies from many parts of the world have demonstrated significantly elevated risk of poor mental health among lesbian, gay, bisexuals, and transgender (LGBT) individuals compared to cisgender and heterosexual individuals. A growing body of evidence suggests that the elevated risk of poor mental health among LGBT people can be partly attributed to greater exposure to stigma-related stress and institutional barriers, such as, limited access to adequate health care, discriminatory legislation (e.g., regarding recognition of same-sex unions), and limitations in open expression of identity. Today many governmental public health agencies call for policy and intervention programs addressing specific needs of LGBT individuals. Still, the public health consequences of discrimination towards LGBT individuals have only recently been a topic of investigation and current knowledge in the area is limited. This workshop will include presentations of studies on strategies to reduce healthcare inequalities including the barriers LGBT individuals face when they access care and give examples of how institutional support can be provided. Laetitia Zeeman and Nigel Sherriff from University of Brighton, will present results from a European Union funded pilot project. Dr Corina Lelutiu-Weinberger from Rutgers University will present results from a study of the influence of gender affirmation and discrimination on transgender individuals mental health in a large US sample. Next, Daniel Hagen from New York University will present data analysing the protective effects of legal same-sex unions on the mental health of lesbian and gay couples. Lovro Markovic will present a study of predictors of being open with an LGBT identity in the workplace among employees in Austria. Key messages Although encouraging promising practices to reduce LGBT healthcare inequalities have been initiated in many parts of the world, much remains to be done to ensure equal access to care for all. Barriers to social integration in the form of discriminatory marriage legislation and work-place discrimination can have a negatively influence on LGBT individual's health and well-being.