<
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/dec/11/sharna-is-sick-of-educating-her-gp-a-landmark-plan-for-lgbtq-australians-may-help>
"Sharna Ciotti wishes she didn’t have to correct the presumption she’s in a
heterosexual relationship whenever she needs healthcare, and often fears she’ll
be treated differently for doing so.
When Ciotti visits the GP in Adelaide, the doctor will often ask questions such
as “are you and your boyfriend using contraception?”
It leaves her “feeling as though I’m having to educate the person who is
supposed to be helping me”.
Hundreds of queer people’s stories – the largest national consultation of
LGBTQ+ wellbeing undertaken by any Australian government – has formed the basis
of a landmark action plan to improve the healthcare LGBTQ+ people receive.
The 10-year plan, released by the federal government on Wednesday, was
co-designed with the community to address inequitable health outcomes for queer
people often shaped by experiences of stigma, discrimination and hostility.
One in three LGBTQ+ people rate their health as poor – more than double the
general population – while three in four LGBTQ+ adults say they have been
diagnosed with a mental health condition, according to government data
referenced in the plan.
The plan aims to address these disparities by enhancing the accessibility,
availability and safety of health care services,ensuring workforce capability
across both mainstream and LGBTQ+ led services, improving research and data,
and building system-wide cultural change."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
