Health Disparities that Exist Among and Within LGBTQ Adolescents, Emerging Adults, and Older Adults

Kohrt Commons; Plyler Hall

This exploration project has been designed to discuss the health disparities that are present among individuals who identify as LGBTQ. Specifically, to talk about how the health disparities are connected to societal stigmas, discrimination, and repudiation of their rights as civil human beings. These connections play a role in the mental health, substance use and abuse, and increase in suicide rates for LGBTQ individuals. This research will provide a background of information that hinders people who identify as a part of the LGBTQ community from being able to access health care and/or reasons for why they refuse to confide in healthcare workers about their identity and why it is important. The discussion will transition to talk about what can be done to better accommodate and provide a safe space to alleviate and treat the mental health, substance abuse and use, and suicide rates among this population.