Diversity, inclusion and racial disparities
Julie Schwartzman-Morris, MD
Rheumatologist
Northwell Health Physician Partners
Jillian Rose, PhD, MPH, MSW
Hospital for Special Surgery
Melissa Flores, MPH, MSW
Hospital for Special Surgery
Peter Morley, BA
Patient
With the most recent estimates of approximately 1.4 million transgender people age 18 and older in the United States, the need for competent and affirming healthcare for transgender patients are not currently being met. LGBTQ+ people face many barriers within healthcare, including discrimination, misunderstanding and fear. These may result in a lack of trust of healthcare professionals, and/or limited access to preventative, primary and specialty care. According to reports by the Institute of Medicine, the Joint Commission, and federal/local laws, LGBTQ+ health has emerged as a national concern with growing evidence of significant health disparities faced by the LGBTQ+ community. At this session, faculty will explain why the rheumatology healthcare team is in a unique position to address these disparities by enhancing their knowledge and training around evidence-based interventions for LGBTQ+ health.
