How Discrimination Impacts Heart Health for LGBTQ Adults

This article provides an overview of a recent statement from the American Heart Association that highlights how discrimination in the health care field and other stressors, such as family rejection, can impact heart health for LGBTQ adults. It brings awareness to the need for more research and advocacy as it relates to heart health and LGBTQ adults.

The resource is also available in Spanish here: La discriminación es un factor que lleva a los adultos LGBTQ a tener una peor salud cardíaca.

The writing group noted trust toward health care professionals is still lacking among many members of the LGBTQ community, and health care professionals need more education on how to provide appropriate care for LGBTQ patients. Caceres says, ‘It is paramount to include content about LGBTQ health in clinical training and licensure requirements in order to address these cardiovascular health disparities.'

SOURCE: American Heart Association • AUTHOR: AHA writing group and several coauthors • LAST UPDATED: October 8, 2020