What is LGBT health?
Patients in the LGBT community are often faced with unique struggles when it comes to healthcare. Research shows that you’re less likely to have access to essential preventive and treatment options because of the social stigma, or even discrimination, that you may face.
The providers at Piñero Preventive Medical Care understand the challenges you go through. LGBT health involves evaluating and treating you as a person, rather than treating a disease or condition. Your dedicated practitioner will get to know you. He or she will evaluate your mental health, home safety, signs of victimization, and overall well-being.
LGBT health can include:
- Sexual wellness screenings
- STD prevention or treatment
- STD testing
- Counseling services
- Vaccinations
- Chronic disease treatment
- HIV screening
- Hormone replacement therapy (HRT)
Why is LGBT health so important?
It’s so important for you to develop a relationship with a trusted provider. After all, you do want to lead a long, healthy life by minimizing your risk of any chronic issues. Routine LGBT health maintenance is important to:
- Eliminate health disparities in the LGBT community
- Decrease incidents of disease transmission
- Delay or stop disease progression
- Reduce overall future health costs
- Help you prevent future health issues
- Improve your mental and physical well-being
How do I talk to my doctor about my LGBT health concerns?
While it might seem awkward at first, you should talk with your doctor just like you’re talking with your best friend — you have to be open and honest. Because the practitioners at Piñero Preventive Medical Care have been active in the LGBT community for years, they have seen and heard just about anything you can imagine.
The doctors, nurse practitioners, and nurses are here to care for you and are genuinely concerned about your health. By sharing as much as you can about your lifestyle, they’ll get a better understanding of which types of diagnostic screenings you may need and how to help you prevent future problems. Plus, you’ll have someone to contact if you ever need to be seen in the office on an urgent basis.
