Observance puts focus on LGBT health issues

The federal government has been using Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Health Awareness Week, March 23 to 29, to promote the March 31 deadline to apply for health insurance under the Affordable Care Act. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius issued a statement, and Jill Biden, PhD, wife of Vice President Joe Biden, met with members of the LGBT community.

But resources available year-round can help educate administrators and professional caregivers about LGBT health issues and related matters. Among them:

• The National Resource Center on LGBT Aging offers training information, links to national and stare resources, and other information on its website. The center is led by SAGE (Services & Advocacy for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual & Transgender Elders) and funded through an HHS grant.
• SAGE’s website also has a section on LGBT health and links to other information.
• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention maintains a website about LBGT health matters.
• The MedLinePlus website includes links to information, clinical trials and journal articles related to LGBT health issues.
• The HHS website offers links to its reports, news and observance information as well as links to other government websites, among them AIDS.gov, HealthyPeople.gov, the Office of Minority Health and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

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