Publication:

Transgender preventative healthcare-an exploratory study

Background Transgender and gender diverse (TGGD) populations experience more health disparities than the general LGB (lesbian, gay, and bisexual) and the general cis-gender heterosexual population.

Methods A cross-sectional survey of preventative health screenings was done across the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) population utilizing Qualtrics. Thirty-five (36%) transgender individuals and 63 (64%) cis-gender individuals were included in the analysis. Bivariate analyses were performed using Welch's t test for continuous variables and Fisher's exact or Pearson chi-square for categorical variables.

Results Cis-women were more likely than TGGD individuals with a cervix to have received a papanicolaou smear and reported being more up to date on cervical cancer screening via papanicolaou testing. Cisgender women were more likely to have had a mammogram than transgender men pre-breast removal. Of the 35 gender-diverse individuals, 14 did not have a PCP, 7 of whom never had one.  Fear of discrimination, fear of misgendering, inability to pay, lack of provider knowledge about transgender issues and incongruency with current name and gender with the most common causes for avoiding health care. For the most part, respondents report that these factors cause distress.

Conclusions This study provides data regarding the statistically significant differences in preventative screening prevalence within TGGD clients as compared to LGB populations. Additionally, the study provides series of recommendations for preventative health screenings based upon organ set of individuals rather than gender identity.