Rapid-review findings of healthcare inequalities experienced by LGBTI people in 27 EU Member States

Abstract

Abstract Background A recent EU funded pilot project to reduce the health inequalities of lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and intersex (LGBTI) people has drawn attention to the barriers faced by LGBTI people when they access healthcare. Methods A component of a larger Health4LGBTI study will be presented where rapid-reviews were undertaken in 27 EU Member States focusing on the barriers experienced by LGBI people and how they can be reduced. Results LGBTI people may experience discrimination in healthcare settings based on their gender identity and gender expression, sexual orientation or sex characteristics where heterosexuality, binary gender and assumed male/female sex characteristics were upheld as the norm. Encouraging promising practices in various health settings were evident where the barriers faced by LGBTI people were addressed. The session will present measures required to reduce the barriers faced by LGBTI people via appropriate training of health professionals combined with the efforts of researchers, policy makers and LGBTI people as targeted action across all health systems. Conclusions Although encouraging promising practices were evident, much remains to be done, to ensure healthcare becomes equally accessible to all.