Year: 2021
Type: article
Abstract: This article aims to examine the progressive disparities in health care costs, policies, and medical education pertaining to transgender patients in the United States. Despite improvements in health care, the transgender population experiences numerous social and political barriers, limiting their access to adequate care. The treatment costs for the transition process by hormone therapy and surgery are substantial. Additionally, unfavorable health policies affect various aspects of their mental health. Although several health organizations have gender-affirmative policies, the transgender community faces many problems requiring continuous advocacy; only a few states have passed laws supporting transgender-inclusive health insurance. Transgender patients are also exposed to a myriad of social issues arising from negative experiences due to discrimination. For this reason, a transgender patient may be deterred from seeking treatment if the care provider is not sensitive to the patient’s gender identity. The objective, therefore, is to implement strategies that will improve the outcomes of transgender patients by allocating proper funding, instituting inclusive laws, and standardizing medical school curriculums to ensure that health care providers are knowledgeable and prepared.
Source: Georgetown Medical Review
DOI: 10.52504/001c.29779
Authors: Seema Al-Hiraki, Scott Nichols, Adrian Tran, Kyle O'Connor
Institution: Georgetown University
Language: English
Subfield: Social Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W4200345230