In this episode, The Health Advocates are joined by their colleagues Kelly Gavigan, Chief Data and Analytics Officer, and Adam Kegley, Associate Director of Global Partnerships at GHLF. Together they delve into the unique challenges faced by the LGBTQ+ community in managing Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). Based on the analysis of the results from a survey GHLF recently conducted, they explore how identity impacts health care experiences and treatment outcomes. This episode shines a light on the critical need for inclusive health care practices and offers valuable insights on improving patient-provider relationships. Join us as we uncover the lessons learned and steps forward for LGBTQ+ individuals living with IBD.

Among the highlights in this episode:

01:52: Zoe Rothblatt, Director of Community Outreach at GHLF, provides an overview of IBD, explaining the types and common symptoms

03:14: Adam discusses general and specific challenges faced by the LGBTQ+ community in health care settings, focusing on the impact of discrimination and the importance of inclusive practices

06:05: Kelly explains the objectives behind the survey and the methodology used to capture data from LGBTQ+ individuals with IBD

06:41: Kelly details the main findings from the survey, including demographic information and the impact of disclosing sexual and gender identities to health care providers

09:07: Adam discusses the apprehension LGBTQ+ individuals may feel about disclosing their sexual and gender identities to health care providers and explains the impact of anticipated discrimination, which can deter individuals from seeking necessary medical care

10:36: Kelly highlights the intention behind the survey to understand the specific needs and challenges faced by LGBTQ+ individuals with IBD

11:50: Kelly shares some surprising findings from the survey, such as the high percentage of participants who identified as gender other than cisgender man or woman, noting the importance of this diversity in respondents to gain a comprehensive understanding of the community’s needs

13:01: Adam reflects on the positive outcomes reported by survey participants who disclosed their LGBTQ+ identity to their health care providers, emphasizing how openness can lead to more personalized and effective health care, reducing the incidence of discrimination and improving overall patient satisfaction

14:23: Adam offers advice to LGBTQ+ patients who may be hesitant to disclose their identity to health care providers

15:40: Kelly discusses the next steps following the survey, focusing on how the findings can be used to develop targeted resources and educational materials for LGBTQ+ individuals with IBD

16:55: Adam and Kelly express their hope that the survey findings will lead to meaningful changes in how health care is delivered to LGBTQ+ individuals with IBD

18:51: What our hosts learned from this episode

Contact Our Hosts

Steven Newmark, Chief of Policy at GHLF: snewmark@ghlf.org

Zoe Rothblatt, Director of Community Outreach at GHLF: zrothblatt@ghlf.org

A podcast episode produced by Ben Blanc, Associate Director, Digital Production and Engagement at GHLF.

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