Inequalities in lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) health and health care access and utilization in Wisconsin

Abstract

There are known health disparities between lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people and non-LGBT people, but only in the past couple of decades have population-based health surveys in the United States included questions on sexual and gender identity. We aimed to better understand LGBT disparities in health, health care access and utilization, and quality of care. Data are from the Survey of the Health of Wisconsin (SHOW) from 2014 to 2016 (n = 1957). The analyses focused on comparing health care access and utilization, and quality of care between LGB and non-LGB people and transgender and cisgender people. 3.8% (n = 73) identified as lesbian, gay or bisexual, and 1.3% (n = 25) were transgender. LGB adults were 2.17 (95th CI: 1.07–4.4) times more likely to delay obtaining health care. Transgender adults were 2.76 (95th CI: 1.64–4.65) times more likely to report poor quality of care and 2.78 (95th CI: 1.10–7.10) unfair treatment when receiving medical care. The results show differences in health care access and utilization and quality of care, and they add to the growing body of literature that suggest that improved health care services for LGBT patients are needed to promote health equity for LGBT populations. Keywords: LGBT health, Health care access, Health care utilization, Health disparities