6.O. Scientific session: The unmet needs of LGBTQ+ persons and communities: perspectives from across the globe
Authors:   Organised by: EUPHA-SGMH, -GH,   Chair persons: Kristefer Stojanovski (USA), Elena Petelos (EUPHA-HTA, EUPHA-GH)
Published: October 2024

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer persons suffer from rising anti-LGBTQ+ stigma. Such stigma entails laws that punish being LGBTQ+ such as in Uganda, Russia, Ghana, Iran, etc. The stigmatizing contexts have numerous health-harming effects, including perpetrating mental health harms and creating environments that hamper access & quality of services. Rising global anti-LGBTQ+ stigma and the adverse health impacts require more data on the topic to adequately dispel LGBTQ+ mis- and dis-information. This workshop will give examples of studies that examine LGBTQ+ disparities and inequities in health across different social and cultural contexts, drawing from research in Czechia, Kenya, Rwanda, and Sweden. The workshop will first outline the relevant social and cultural contexts of LGBTQ+ persons in various countries, such as attitudes, beliefs, and values. The workshop will then discuss LGBTQ+ inequities and disparities that arise from health-harming attitudes, beliefs, and values. Afterward, the workshop will discuss public health-oriented solutions & policy directions, including using data for interpretation and advocacy labs and efforts, enhancing data collection, improving knowledge and attitudes, and other implications for public health practice and policy. The workshop will open a session that will situate LGBTQ+ public health for the audience. The first study will be by Andreas Malm from the Karolinska Institute, Sweden, examining LGBTQ+ differences in mental health and treatment disparities in Sweden. This will be followed by Luis Roxo from the Karolinska Institute and Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Portugal, discussing stressors and symptoms that shape inequalities in mental health service use. Then, Michal Pitonák from the National Institute of Mental Health, Czechia, will present treatment and outcome gaps in the mental health of LGBTQ+ persons in Czechia. Lastly, Emmy Kageha Igonya from the African Population Health Research Center, Kenya, will showcase work from a mixed-methods study with LGBTQ+ people in Rwanda and Kenya, examining access to and use of healthcare services. After the individual presentations, which will each last 7-8 minutes, the audience will be invited to a moderated 20-25-minute open discussion on the papers & how the findings can help inform public health practice & policy to address the unmet needs of LGBTQ+ populations globally. The continuing rise in anti-LGBTQ+ sentiments across the globe is problematic from a public health standpoint, given the severe health-harming effects across numerous physical and mental health states and domains. Our workshop aims to facilitate a conversation on understanding the structural situations that shape LGBTQ+ health and identifying strategies to reduce gaps in services and needs that disproportionately burden LGBTQ+ persons.

Key messages

• LGBTQ+ people across the globe are experiencing rising stigma and discrimination.

• Rising anti-LGBTQ+ backlash disproportionately harms LGBTQ+ physical and mental health and creates gaps in care.