Woodhull Hospital to Begin New LGBT Training Initiative

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http://bed-stuy.patch.com/articles/woodhull-hospital-to-begin-new-lgbt-training-initiative

New York City's Health and Hospital Corporation (HHC), along with a group of representatives and physicians from its network hospitals, on Wednesday unveiled a new employee training program that will better address the healthcare needs of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community.

The program -- a joint effort with the National LGBT Cancer Network -- was announced by HHC President Alan D. Aviles at a press conference in Bellvue Hospital's Center Atrium in Manhattan, and was developed to provide a more open environment for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender New Yorkers, who sometimes avoid seeking adequate health care due to fear of stigma.

“The LGBT community is carrying an undue burden of disease,” said Liz Margolies, founder of the National LGBT Cancer Network. She cited a recent finding that one in five transgender people have been turned away by healthcare providers.

" is not caused by differences in anatomy or physiology, but mostly result from the stigma and discrimination of living in sexual and gender minorities in this culture,” she said.

The training initiative was inspired by two recent reports. One report, released by the Institute of Medicine called for more research and education for healthcare providers on LGBT-specific health issues.

The other report, released by the federal Department of Health and Human Services, comprised of a set of policy recommendations for healthcare providers, and suggested cultural competence training as a way to improve healthcare for LGBT patients.

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