39th Annual Student Research Conference
Exploring the Unique Healthcare Barriers of the LGBTQ+ Community
Sam Sanguinett
Dr. Rolena Stephenson, Faculty Mentor
The lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer plus (LGBTQ+) community has historically faced discrimination and stigma, contributing to significant health disparities compared to the cisgender-heterosexual population. These challenges are often exacerbated for individuals in rural areas due to limited resources and systemic barriers. This study aimed to identify barriers to healthcare access for LGBTQ+ students and their cisgender heterosexual counterparts at a local university. A questionnaire was implemented over the four-month period to collect data on participant demographics, insurance status, healthcare access, and other healthcare-related experiences. A total of 599 students participated in the study. Key findings suggested that over 40% of respondents reported avoiding healthcare services in the past year, with the most common reasons being “too busy” (37.5%) and the cost of treatment (30.5%). Offering flexible scheduling, promoting affordable care, and fostering inclusive environments can help reduce these barriers.
Keywords: healthcare access, college students, LGBTQ+
Topic(s):Health Science
Presentation Type: Poster Presentation
Session: -18
Location: Activities Room
Time: 2:30