Improved Health Care for Sexual Minority and Transgender Veterans

Abstract

The recent article by Blosnich et al.1 discusses survey data that indicate greater suicidal ideation among lesbian, gay, and bisexual veterans compared with heterosexual veterans. The article also emphasizes that sexual minority veterans have poor mental health as well as less availability of social and emotional support. A sense of social isolation may be a factor resulting in this negative outcome.1 Transgender individuals also struggle with mental health problems such as depression and poor self-esteem. Publications have described transgender youths as an invisible population that is marginalized and underserved. Pollock and Eyre discuss how female-to-male youths gradually discover and adapt to their transgender identity.2 The authors emphasize the medical and social service needs of this population as well as their struggle for acceptance. In addition, they emphasize the need for transgender youths to have culturally sensitive, transgender-specific medical providers. They also comment that for the young transgender population to see their lives as worth living, they need to feel valued by our society.2 Lombardi emphasizes the violence and discrimination that are frequently experienced by this population and that low self-esteem in this group may lead to drug and alcohol abuse.3 In addition, the lack of sensitivity on the part of health care providers adversely affects the willingness of transgender individuals to seek and stay in treatment for their psychological and social service needs. Lombardi discusses several strategies to improve the health of transgender individuals, including acknowledging the authenticity of the identities of this population, promoting the view that discrimination against transgender men and women will not be tolerated, and advocating for better and expanded health care services. Finally, innovative policies to help this patient population need to be instituted.3 Recognizing the unique needs of sexual minority and transgender veterans is a priority of the Veteran Affairs (VA) Manhattan Healthcare Center. We applaud the research that focuses on these needs; it enables us to advocate strongly for this group. Our goal is to provide all veterans with excellent, sensitive, and empathetic health care. VA Manhattan is determined to institute the strategies necessary to achieve this goal.