Sexual and Gender Minority Health Disparities during COVID-19

Speakers: Oralia Loza, PhD, Phillip Schnarrs, PhD, and Carlos Rodriguez, PhD, MCHES

Due to the current national climate and membership need for more information, we are conducting a summer series on COVID-19, this being one out of four, the first one held in April. COVID-19 is an ongoing pandemic situation that also reflects its impacts on the LGBTQ community. Due to this pandemic, the LGBTQ community suffers both economic and health care situations. LGBTQ community in most cases do not get enough opportunities or know of what is out there for them due to lack of communication, unlike other Americans. Yet they have a lack of food, housing, health care system, education, and job opportunities. In this webinar, we will discuss the importance of LGBTQ community health education and how COVID-19 has impacted this population, and what we can do to prevent communicable diseases.

There are persistent health disparities among sexual and gender minority populations in the United States. These disparities are amplified during the COVID-19 pandemic in Texas, especially among black, indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC), as well as gender diverse people. Through a coalition of 30+ community and research partners, a Texas wide study assessed health outcomes and structural factors among sexual and gender minority adult populations during the pandemic. Findings point to disparities across structural and psychosocial factors among BIPOC and gender diverse people, as well as higher COVID-19 positivity rates. Data suggest the need for prioritizing these communities and developing strategies for COVID-19 testing, as health and social care access. Critical to addressing COVID-19 disparities will be equitable access and effective uptake if a COVID-19 in sexual and gender minority populations most impacted.