Many providers do not receive sufficient training in providing care to LGBTQIA+ children, adolescents, and young adults. LGBTQIA+ youth report high levels of unmet health needs and expect to face prejudice in healthcare settings—leading to hesitancy to access care or disclose LGBTQIA+ status to providers.
Cultural Competence is an essential means of reducing disparities in health care. Culturally competent care acknowledges the importance of culture, incorporates cross-cultural relations, recognizes the potential impact of cultural differences, expands cultural knowledge, and adapts services to meet patient needs.
Affirmative Practice is an approach to health care in which organizations, programs, and providers validate and support the identities stated or expressed by those served. Affirmative care has been established as a best practice for serving the LGBTQIA+ community.
This practical resource provides support on why and how to use personal pronouns.
This brief from The National LGBT Health Education Center provides practical directions on creating more inclusive environments for LGBT patients, focusing on documents, policies, and procedures.
This article by Hadland et al. (2017) provides an overview of competently caring for LGBTQIA+ youth in affirming environments.