LGBTQ+ Health Education

How Social Media is Being Used for HIV Prevention: Insights from a Scoping Review Being currently involved in two absolutely fascinating evaluations of social media campaigns to promote the HPV vaccine (in Nigeria and Bangladesh), I was intrigued by this scoping review. Social media has emerged as a transformative tool in the global fight against HIV/AIDS, offering innovative pathways for prevention and outreach. A recent scoping review of 23 studies provides valuable insights into how these platforms are being leveraged to address the epidemic. Key Findings: Most Common Platform: Facebook was the dominant social media platform used in interventions, followed by dating apps and other networks. Target Populations: LGBT communities, particularly men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender individuals, were the primary focus of these initiatives. Proven Outcomes: Interventions led to higher HIV testing rates, improved condom use attitudes, increased social support, and greater participation in research. Key Gap: While prevention was the focus, fewer efforts targeted linking people living with HIV to care or supporting treatment adherence. Country Breakdown: The review analyzed studies from diverse regions: 12 studies from the U.S., 4 form China, 1 each from Nigeria, South Africa, Peru, Brazil and Romania. Why Are LGBT Communities the Primary Focus? The focus on LGBT populations in social media interventions aligns with global health priorities and reflects epidemiological realities: Disproportionate Risk: MSM and transgender individuals face higher HIV prevalence due to structural barriers like stigma, discrimination, and limited healthcare access. Digital Reach: LGBT individuals often turn to social media for support and information, making it a natural channel for outreach. Funding Alignment: Many interventions are supported by organizations in regions where LGBT health equity is a priority, like North America and Europe. Is This What We Would Expect? Yes. Effective public health strategies prioritize populations with the highest risk to maximize impact. Social media’s ability to foster anonymity, community, and education makes it especially effective for engaging LGBT groups, leading to tangible outcomes like increased HIV testing. What’s Next? Expanding these interventions to include other at-risk populations—such as people who inject drugs or women in sex work—can further enhance equity. Additionally, tailoring efforts to regions with high HIV incidence but limited digital outreach, such as sub-Saharan Africa or South Asia, could bridge global gaps. Social media’s potential to combat health inequities is immense. #HIVPrevention #SocialMedia #LGBTHealth #GlobalHealth #Equity

**5 Best Practices for Providing Gender-Affirming Care** Providing gender-affirming care means creating a space where transgender, nonbinary, and gender-diverse individuals feel seen, respected, and supported. Here are five best practices to ensure your care is affirming and inclusive: 1️⃣ **Use Correct Names & Pronouns** – Always ask for and use a person's affirmed name and pronouns. If you make a mistake, correct yourself, apologize briefly, and move forward without over-explaining. 2️⃣ **Educate Yourself Continuously** – Gender identity is diverse and evolving. Stay informed on terminology, experiences, and best practices without placing the burden of education on your clients. 3️⃣ **Affirm, Don’t Gatekeep** – Trust and respect your client’s understanding of their own identity. Avoid unnecessary barriers to care, and advocate for access to gender-affirming medical, legal, and social resources. 4️⃣ **Address Systemic Barriers** – Recognize how racism, ableism, classism, and other systemic factors intersect with gender identity. Support clients in navigating these challenges while validating their lived experiences. 5️⃣ **Create a Safe & Inclusive Space** – Ensure your intake forms, office environment, and policies reflect inclusivity. Representation matters—have affirming literature, visible support signs, and staff trained in gender-affirming practices. 6️⃣ **BONUS** ** It’s Okay to Not Know Everything** – You don’t need to have all the answers to provide affirming care. What matters is your willingness to listen, learn, and grow. If you're unsure about something, acknowledge it, seek out reliable resources, and commit to ongoing education. Your openness and humility go a long way in building trust and providing truly supportive care. Gender-affirming care isn’t just about treatment—it’s about respect, dignity, and empowerment. When we affirm gender identity, we contribute to mental health, well-being, and self-determination. Let’s continue creating spaces where everyone can thrive!

As Chair of AOTA's Mental Health Special Interest Section, I am pleased to share this Pride Month resource guide highlighting selected materials from the MHSIS Resource Library related to LGBTQIA+ and Sexual and Gender Minority populations. These resources include occupational therapy scholarship, assessment tools, intervention resources, government reports, and community-based materials that can support inclusive, occupation-centered practice across settings. I hope members find them useful in their work, teaching, advocacy, and ongoing professional development.

As a mental health content marketer, I’ve written a lot about the LGBTQ+ community. 🏳️🌈From white papers on healthcare disparities faced by LGBTQ+... 🏳️🌈To Pride Month blog posts… 🏳️🌈To web pages on addiction rates in LGBTQ+ persons. And so, our Top Facts Tuesday will be on  Disparities faced by people who are LGBTQ+ To shed light on how far we’ve come And how far we still have to go in chasing a fair world for all. (Note: the word ‘disparities’ refers to a difference in treatment Particularly unfair treatment) ✨Here are the top facts/stats on disparities LGBTQ+ persons see:✨ 1️⃣People who are lesbian, bisexual, gay, or transgender (LGBT) are more likely to experience health-related barriers and disparities → Than people who aren’t LGBT. 2️⃣These barriers make it harder to seek or want to seek treatment. → Which in turn contributes to health issues (left untreated or undiagnosed). LGBT-identifying females tend to have higher rates of cervical cancer Due to not being screened for fear of mistreatment in healthcare. 3️⃣Disparities and other issues faced by LGBTQ+ people contribute to other health issues. → LGBT youth are at high risk of being bullied, among other issues. Being bullied (and other everyday issues) Can lead them to use alcohol or drugs as a way to cope. This in turn can lead to addiction and further mental health issues. 4️⃣In one survey, 25% of LGBT people reported being in fair or poor health. → This is compared to 18% of people who are not LGBT. Contributing factors to these self-reports were Low income Disparities in healthcare Being on Medicaid 5️⃣LGBT+ people are more likely to have lower incomes at each age than their non-LGBT counterparts. →This is due largely to the sexual orientation discrimination they face in life And especially in the workplace. 6️⃣In fact, LGBTQ persons earn $.90 for every $1 earned by non-identifying-LGBTQ persons. → According to an HRC Foundation analysis of over 7,000 LGBT workers. 7️⃣People who are LGBTQ AND racial minorities face even worse issues. For example: 47% of POC LGBT persons were low-income in 2017 25% of POC LGBT have college degrees; 43% of white LGBT people do 8️⃣45% of LGBT youth have considered taking their own lives. → Yet those LGBT in gender-affirming/supportive homes  Reported these attempts less than half the time. 9️⃣60% of LGBT youth who wanted mental health care in the past year could not get it. → While access to mental health care is not good in the U.S. overall, Those who are LGBTQ have an even harder time getting care. 🔟73% of LGBT youth report anxiety symptoms; 58% report depression symptoms. → And anxiety disorder and depressive disorders are often chronic illnesses. However, with treatment and proper coping skills These issues can be managed over time. ✨✨✨If you are LGBTQ+, I see you. ✨✨✨ I will support you any way I can until we have a fairer world. 🌈Happy Pride Month, happy Pride life. Happy Tuesday, friends.

LGBTQ+ health disparities are often the consequence of barriers to healthcare, discrimination, economic instability, and policies that affect access to services. Research consistently shows that LGBTQ+ individuals experience higher rates of mental health challenges, delays in care, and certain chronic and infectious diseases. These disparities can be even greater for people who also face racism, poverty, disability, or other forms of marginalization. Creating equitable healthcare means building systems where every person can access safe, respectful, evidence-based care regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. Health equity is not ever about providing 'special treatment! It is about ensuring everyone has a fair opportunity to achieve their best possible health. Sources: • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention • National Institutes of Health • KFF • The Trevor Project #LGBTQ #Pride #PublicHealth #Health #MentalHealth #HealthDisparities