Creating more inclusive care environments to improve LGBTQ individuals' health

Equipping health care practices to be more inclusive of LGBTQ individuals could also improve rates of STI testing. In a new study, researchers describe a program that trained staff at federally funded community centers on the needs of LGBTQ patients, including asking patients' preferred pronouns. Ten centers were included in the study, and an analysis found that after the training, the centers saw a 43% increase in the practice of collecting patients' preferred pronouns and a 300% increase in having liaisons at centers specifically for LGBTQ patients. At the same time, testing for STIs also increased: Rates of testing for HIV nearly doubled, while syphilis, chlamydia, and gonorrhea testing also increased. "[D]eveloping more inclusive and culturally affirming environments can increase LGBT engagement in health care, and eventually lead to better overall health and well-being," the authors write.