Damning report on health of LGBT people in Ireland
May 13th, 2009
LGBT people in Ireland have worse health than heterosexual people in almost every area of health, according to a report published this week.
The report LGBT Health: Towards Meeting the Needs of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender People found that the LGBT population in Ireland had higher incidences of depression, anxiety, self-harm and suicide than the general population.
LGBT people also had higher levels of smoking, alcohol consumption, recreational drug use, obesity and eating disorders. LGBT young people experience more isolation, fear, stigma, bullying and family rejection contributing to depression, anxiety, self-harm and suicide.
Lesbian and bisexual women were found to have a higher incidence polycystic ovarian syndrome, ovarian cancer and breast cancer than the general adult female population.
Gay and bisexual men were found to suffer homophobic abuse and stress, while older LGBT people experienced invisibility, isolation and a lack of recognition of partners as well as difficulties expressing bereavement.
Odhrán Allen, director of mental health strategy at the Gay and Lesbian Equality Network (Glen) welcomed the report, describing it as a “milestone”.
“For the first time in Ireland we have a coherent and comprehensive report on the particular health needs of LGBT people as well as clear recommendations on how the HSE can address these needs,” said Allen.
Following the report, hospitals in Ireland are to have guidelines on dealing with gay and lesbian patients and their partners
Caoimhe Gleeson, chairwoman of the HSE’s LGBT health sub-committee said the guidelines were “definitely the next thing we are working on”.
Speaking at the publication of the report, Gleeson said: “There are legal issues around recognising same-sex relationships but hospitals and healthcare professionals have discretion when it comes to recognising same-sex partners during treatment. If there are guidelines in place awareness of the issue is increased.”
[via Irish Times]
thanks for highlighting this info. We seem to have similar issues in North East Region but information is fragmented-this might spur us on to do something
louise evan-wong ∼ May 14th, 2009 4:13 pm