Transgender health is a vital component in healthcare

Abstract

The term “transgender” is used to describe individuals whose innate sense of one’s own gender, expression or behavior is not in alignment with the sociocultural expectations emerging from the gender assigned to them at birth, legally and medically. The term encompasses such a wide spectrum of gender identities and expressions that it has not been possible to completely understand the dynamics of a “transgender” individual’s experiences. A transgender faces injustice and discrimination at every turn in life. They are victims of sexual abuse, violence, social stigma and harassment, intense poverty, substance abuse, and overall poor physical and mental health. A transgender has both routine healthcare needs like the rest of the population and unique healthcare needs such as gender-affirming hormone therapy and surgeries. A transgender-friendly healthcare system with healthcare staff competent in knowledge and interest in transgender care is the need of the hour to address the health concerns of this population.

Keywords

• transgender health; transgender healthcare; transgender stigma