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Special Population: LGBTQ Community

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Chronic Illness Care

Abstract

People with gender identities and sexual orientations that are in the minority have historically been structurally and systematically marginalized, leading to global discrimination, adversity, and stigmatization, all of which affect health outcomes and limit care. An understanding of the complexity of stigma and its relationship to trauma and subsequent risk behaviors, as well the interaction of biology, social determinants of health, and psychology (the biopsychosocial model), helps clinicians provide effective health care to this population. Documentation of sexual orientation and gender identity information in the electronic health record helps in population health management, clinical decision support, and the promotion of patient-centered inclusive care at the individual, organizational, and national levels. Comprehensive health care includes attention to psychosocial and mental health needs including suicide prevention, substance use treatment, sexual health, and gender affirming care, in addition to cancer screening and other evidence-based aspects of chronic care.

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Austen, J.M., Lahlou, R., Moore, M. (2023). Special Population: LGBTQ Community. In: Daaleman, T.P., Helton, M.R. (eds) Chronic Illness Care. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-29171-5_26

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