Healthcare and staying healthy is on everyone’s mind right now. There are questions and uncertainty abound. When will this end? What if I lose my job? What if I run out of money? Am I particularly at risk for infection?
In fact, the LGBTQ+ community is particularly vulnerable to the economic and health impacts of COVID-19. We are more likely to work in industries highly impacted by the pandemic and we tend to have more health risk factors than the general population.
Worse, when considering the transgender and nonbinary community by itself, the impact to health and economic hardship is even higher. The transgender community has already been at an economic and health disadvantage.
While the virus doesn’t discriminate, one of the biggest problems transgender and nonbinary people face currently is actually a problem which existed all along: access to healthcare that is affordable, gender affirming and trans-health informed. Even though laws were enacted during the last administration to prohibit discrimination in the healthcare setting, there is little to no enforcement or oversight currently. Transgender people are also more likely to be under employed or unemployed, and therefore equally under insured or uninsured.
The National Center for Transgender Equality’s (NCTE) most recent survey on the experiences of transgender people reveals “widespread patterns of mistreatment, discrimination and startling disparities between transgender people and the U.S. population when it comes to the most basic elements of life, such as finding a job, having a safe place to live, accessing medical care and enjoying the support of family and community.”
This level of discrimination, stigma, lack of acceptance and abuse also creates mental health problems, as the American Psychological Association estimates over half of all transgender and nonbinary people struggle with depression, anxiety and/or other mental health issues.
The NCTE also reports on their website, transgender people share the same physical health disparities as LGB people, as they are more likely to use tobacco (COVID-19 could be especially harmful to smokers), they have higher rates of HIV and cancer and it is estimated than 1 in 5 transgender adults have at least one chronic condition such as diabetes, arthritis or asthma. Any of these elements could make transgender people more susceptible to serious or life-threatening symptoms of COVID-19.
It is imperative we follow the guidelines and recommendations put forth by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Dr. Fauci about keeping ourselves healthy and safe during this period. This is a great time to become more mindful of your health and your health habits.
Recently, I came across this quote from Dr. Wayne Dyer, “Healthy habits are learned in the same way as unhealthy ones – through practice.” For those of us in the transgender and nonbinary community, I realize that going to the doctor for regular visits (other than the HRT visit) to check on your health can be intimidating and fearful. It’s also important to talk to your HRT prescriber about any and all health concerns during your visit, not just the HRT. In Central Florida, we are very fortunate to have many healthcare organizations that specialize in holistic transgender health.
Along with us at 26Health, there is Bliss Cares, Hope & Help, Crew Health, Spektrum and Pinero Preventative Care. Like 26Health, many of these organizations provide comprehensive health services, even if you don’t have insurance.
Stay Healthy and Stay Safe!
Dr. David Baker-Hargrove is a licensed psychotherapist providing LGBTQ+ healthcare for over 25 years. Dr. Baker-Hargrove identifies as nonbinary and gay. They are currently the President and Co-CEO of 26Health, Central Florida’s LGBTQ+ health center, which is co-led by their husband, Robert. Together, they have a 6-year-old daughter and a toy poodle named Shangela.
