New York: City Gets Smart on LGBT Wellness

The president of the New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation (HHC) joined other city officials and gay advocates on May 25 in announcing a new effort aimed at improving health care in the LGBT community.

"With the launching of this program, HHC begins their earnest effort to serve the LGBT community in New York," said Alan D. Aviles, the corporation's top executive. "Our LGBT cultural competency training is another example of our dedication to health care, to work harder to earn their trust, and serve the LGBT community better." All of HHC's 37,000 employees will be required to participate in the program.

The effort was prompted in part by an Institute of Medicine report in March showing that LGBT individuals report higher rates of drug and alcohol use, as well as suicide and depression. Other studies show gays and lesbians have lower rates of preventative care and insurance coverage, and that one in five transgender persons have been turned away by a health provider.

HHC worked with the National LGBT Cancer Network on the program curriculum, which includes a video entitled "To Treat Me, You Have to Know Who I Am."

"Even the best HHC providers are sometimes unaware that they are sending a message of exclusion to these patients," said Liz Margolies, executive director of the cancer network. "The training shows how to welcome all, to speak respectfully, to understand what the issues are, and how to welcome family into treatment."

For more information or to view the video, visit www.nyc.gov/html/hhc/html/pressroom/press-release-20110525-lgbt-training.shtml.

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