Sep 10, 2013 | Community Outreach, LGBT Health, Sexual Health
Under the federal Affordable Care Act, an “Exchange”—an organized marketplace designed to help people shop for and enroll in health insurance coverage—will be operating in every state starting in 2014. New York has chosen to set up its own Exchange, called the New York Health Benefit Exchange. Individuals, families and small businesses will be able to use the Exchange to find the best possible health insurance plan for themselves and their families, and, if eligible, apply for financial assistance to pay for it. Insurance coverage can be purchased through the Health Benefit Exchange beginning in October 2013 and will become effective January 1, 2014. (more…)
Updated on Jun 30, 2022 | Community Outreach, Family Medicine, LGBT Health, Primary Care, Sexual Health
The only thing to fear is fear itself. So please get tested. Of the approximately 1.2 million people in the United States who are HIV positive, 250,000 don’t know it.
There are two good reasons to know your HIV status. First, there are treatments available that let people live normal lives. The earlier they’re started in the course of the disease, the better they are at protecting people against complications. Second, people who are HIV positive and successfully suppress the virus with treatment are less likely to transmit the disease. (more…)
Updated on Jun 30, 2022 | OB/GYN, Sexual Health, Women's Health
A woman’s menstrual cycle can say a lot about her. A monthly menstrual cycle indicates she is healthy and her hormones are probably within normal levels. For the most part, a menstrual cycle will occur every 21 to 35 days, although the frequency can change a bit through the reproductive years. To understand how and why these changes occur, it is important to understand how the menstrual cycle works. (more…)
Updated on Jun 30, 2022 | Community Outreach, LGBT Health, Sexual Health, Women's Health
February 2013 is the 150th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation and will see commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the civil rights March on Washington. March 2013 is Women’s History Month, and this year celebrates the contributions of women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. The last week in March 2013 also marks the 11th annual National Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Health Awareness Week.
Each of these occasions brings visibility to the contributions made by Americans of African descent, women or, in the case of National LGBT Health Awareness Week, LGBT health care providers, advocates and allies in advancing equality, equity and fuller inclusion of these populations in American society.
LGBT People of Color Face Significant Health Disparities
Great strides have been made for each of these communities. Yet significant challenges remain in addressing and eliminating significant health disparities faced by all of these populations, especially for those at the intersections of race, gender and sexual orientation/gender identity. For example, lack of affordable health care and insurance and lack of culturally competent service providers have led to significant health disparities faced by many people of color.
An LGBT person of color faces the combined impact of these barriers, increasing the likelihood of negative health outcomes. Statistics on transgender persons, particularly transgender women of color, show drastically higher rates of HIV/AIDS. LGBT individuals show higher rates of acute disease attributed to avoiding and delaying screening and care for fear of perceived or actual discrimination and stigma from the health care providers treating them. These numbers rise significantly for LGBT men and women of color.
Events Highlight Commitment to LGBT Patients
Continuum Health Partners continues to move forward in our commitment to culturally competent and quality care for our LGBT patients and communities. During National LGBT Health Awareness Week 2013, we will be sponsoring a series of events and workshops focused on offering resources for delivering the best care to lesbian, bisexual and transgender women and families.
Activities will include a grand round series and two community/providers networking events:
• Monday, March 18 from 5 to 7 pm at Roosevelt Hospital, 1000 Tenth Ave. Note that there’s been a change in the date and location for the first networking event. St. Luke’s-Roosevelt LGBT & Friends will jointly sponsor a networking event with Beth Israel’s LGBT Committee on April 8th, 5:30-7:30 pm at St. Luke’s Hospital, Amsterdam Avenue and 114th Street.
• Monday, March 25 from 5 to 7 pm at the Phillips Ambulatory Care Center’s Dr. Gerald J. and Dorothy R. Friedman Conference Center, 10 Union Square East.
Each event will celebrate our progress towards LGBT health equity, and bring together our staff and providers with LGBT consumers and community-based organizations serving LGBT persons. We will distribute posters, cards, stickers and pins to employees to help promote LGBT Health Awareness Week in our hospitals and clinics.
Hold these dates on your calendar. More detailed information will available by e-mail—to add your name to the list, please contact Bwarren@chpnet.org. We look forward to seeing you there and to working with you in 2013 toward greater health equity for all.
Updated on Jun 30, 2022 | Family Medicine, Geriatrics, Men's Health, Sexual Health, Urology
Guest blog post by Doron S. Stember, MD, Urologist at Beth Israel Medical Center.
A major medical study published several years ago showed that 50% of all men between the ages of 40 and 70 experience erectile dysfunction (ED) on at least some occasions. The first line of treatment is oral therapy (pills), including Viagra, Levitra and Cialis. For most men with ED, these pills provide a satisfactory solution. Some men, however, do not respond to pills, and for others, including those with certain heart conditions, the pills are unsafe. What are their options? (more…)
Updated on Jun 30, 2022 | Cardiology, LGBT Health, Sexual Health
The development of anti-retroviral medication has changed the face of HIV (human immunodeficiency virus). Now, people with HIV are living longer and healthier lives. However, research is now showing that those who are HIV positive may be at greater risk for cardiovascular disease, such as strokes, blockages in arteries bringing blood to the heart muscle and heart attacks. Cardiovascular disease is predicted to become one of the leading medical problems in patients with HIV. (more…)
Under the federal Affordable Care Act, an “Exchange”—an organized marketplace designed to help people shop for and enroll in health insurance coverage—will be operating in every state starting in 2014. New York has chosen to set up its own Exchange, called the New York Health Benefit Exchange. Individuals, families and small businesses will be able to use the Exchange to find the best possible health insurance plan for themselves and their families, and, if eligible, apply for financial assistance to pay for it. Insurance coverage can be purchased through the Health Benefit Exchange beginning in October 2013 and will become effective January 1, 2014. (more…)
