Be Counted: Measuring LGBT Health Leads to LGBT Progress

Adrian Shanker, Executive Director, Bradbury-Sullivan LGBT Community Center

When we think about progress for LGBT Pennsylvanians, we don't always think about our health, and yet it's possible that this is the most important thing for us as a community to address.

In 2015 and 2016, LGBT community centers across Pennsylvania joined forces to work with Pennsylvania Department of Health to measure LGBT health disparities -- we learned that LGBT people experience significant disparities - in other words, because of numerous barriers to care, some structural, some geographic, some that are, frankly, preventable, the LGBT community in Pennsylvania experiences health outcomes that aren't as good as the rest of the population. Just like when we talk about the lack of non-discrimination protections, or the the lack of school bullying protections for LGBT youth, or the lack of support for LGBT older adults -- the health disparities that we as LGBT people face are simply stated: not fair.

In order to increase LGBT progress in Pennsylvania, we need accurate, community-based data so we get to work to reduce barriers to care and eliminate the disparities our community faces.

This year, LGBT community organizations across Pennsylvania are again working together to measure LGBT health. We're doing this for one reason: because our community deserves data. There's a saying that when we're not counted we don't count, and that's why this is so important. Together, LGBT centers are collaborating to collect data on the health of our community, we will use the data to inform our programs and to know where more work is needed.

But we need your help. We need you to be counted. Participate in the 2018 Pennsylvania LGBT Health Needs Assessment at bit.ly/pana0318 so that our community can go forth toward health equity.