LGBTQ+ people face health inequities

Because of the challenges LGBTQ+ people face in the world, they are also at a higher risk of facing health challenges. Explore these resources to better understand and support LGBTQ+ people’s health and wellness.

Navigating the medical system

For LGBTQ+ people, discrimination and barriers to care can make something as basic as going to the doctor into a struggle. Below are polling stats from KFF that show some of those challenges:
Gay couple hugging in the park

  1. LGBT adults are twice as likely as non-LGBT adults to report negative experiences while receiving health care in the last three years, including being treated unfairly or with disrespect.

  2. In addition to general unfair and disrespectful treatment by health care providers, six in ten (61%) LGBT adults report at least one of several negative experiences with a health care provider in the last three years, including negative assumptions, refusal of care, and blame directed at the patient for their identity.

  3. Among LGBT adults, those who are lower income, younger, and women are more likely to face challenges with discrimination or unfair treatment in their daily life and while receiving health care.

  4. Six in ten LGBT adults say they feel they have to be careful about their appearance to avoid negative confrontations or prepare for insults during health care visits.

  5. LGBT adults – including those with fair or poor mental health – are more likely than non-LGBT adults to report going without needed mental health care.

Read the full report
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LGBTQ+ health challenges

LGBTQ+ people confront a large amount of challenges to their happiness and wellness. For example:

Increased stigma

LGBTQ+ young people are more likely to be rejected by their families, which increases their risk of becoming homeless. According to The Trevor Project, 28% of LGBTQ+ young people reported experiencing homelessness or housing instability at some point in their lives, and those who did had two to four times the odds of mental health challenges than those with stable housing.
Learn about rejection, stigma, and bias

Mental health concerns

39% of LGBTQ+ young people seriously considered attempting suicide in the past year. Young people who are transgender, nonbinary, and/or people of color reported higher rates than their peers.
Read the report