LGBTQIA+ Health
Topic write up

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NIH LogoThe National Institutes of Health (NIH), a part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, is the nation’s medical research agency — making important discoveries that improve health and save lives. NIH is made up of 27 Institutes and Centers, each with a specific research agenda, often focusing on particular diseases or body systems.

The Sexual & Gender Minority Research Office (SGMRO) coordinates sexual and gender minority (SGM)–related research and activities by working directly with the NIH Institutes, Centers, and Offices. The Office was officially established in September 2015 within the NIH Division of Program Coordination, Planning, and Strategic Initiatives (DPCPSI). 

All of Us Web Badge to Join the Race to Celebrate Medical Breakthroughs

Traditionally, health care has taken a one-size-fits-all approach in developing treatments and strategies for the “average” person - but these treatments may not work well for individual people, because everyone is unique. How can medicine and research take individuality into consideration in tailoring treatment and prevention strategies for more effective health care? The All of Us Research Program is working to support Precision Medicine in this way, by building a diverse database that can inform thousands of studies on a variety of conditions. Learn more about Diversity in biomedical research.


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Agencies and Associations

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) works to ensure that LGBTQI+ people, their families, and communities receive equal access to health services by providing enhanced resources for LGBTQI+ health issues; developing better information regarding LGBTQI+ health needs; and working to close the LGBTQI+ health disparities gap that currently exists. Learn more and download and share Gender-Affirming Care and Young People [PDF] (HHS Office of Population Affairs)

Healthy People 2030 supports improving the health and well-being for LGBT populations through health behavior objectives, objectives to address systemic problems, and objectives to increase data collection on LGBT heath and well-being. Learn more at Healthy People 2030.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is a comprehensive resource for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Health.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA) supports behavioral health equity and resources.

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs recognizes that LGBTQ+ Veterans face increased health risks and unique challenges in health care due to stigma, discrimination, and stress. Services that the VA provides for LGBTQ+ Health

The National LGBTQIA+ Health Education Centera program of the Fenway Institute, provides educational programs, resources, and consultation to health care organizations with the goal of optimizing quality, cost-effective health care for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender queer, intersex, asexual and all sexual and gender minority (LGBTQIA+) people.

The American Psychological Association (APA) advances the creation, communication, and application of psychological knowledge on gender identity and sexual orientation to benefit society and improve lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people's lives. See APA Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity for more information.

The Gay and Lesbian Medical Association (GMLA) is a national organization committed to health equity for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer (LGBTQ), and all sexual and gender minority (SGM) individuals and equality for LGBTQ/SGM health professionals in their work and learning environments. Use their resources to:

For the Bookshelf

Book cover of children playing‘This Day in June’ celebrates the pride and diversity of the LGBTQ community from a child’s point of view. This is the first picture book to win the Stonewall Book Awards – Mike Morgan and Larry Romans Children’s and Young Adult Literature Award. This Day in June | Gayle E Pitman, Ph.D. | Magination Press | 2014 | 32 pages | ISBN: 978-1433816598 | WorldCat

Book Cover with Trans+ spelled verticallyTRANS+ is a guide for teens who are transgender, non-binary, gender-nonconforming, gender-fluid, queer, or questioning their sexual and gender identity. It answers both easy and hard questions about gender and covers mental health, physical health, reproduction, transitioning, relationships, sex, and life as a queer individual. Trans+: Love, Sex, Romance, and Being You | Karen Rayne Ph.D. and Kathryn Gonzales MBA | Magination Press | 2019 | 304 pages | ISBN: 978-1433829833 | Young Adult Ages 15-18 | WorldCat

Dismantling Everyday Discrimination book coverThis book examines the microaggressions that LGBTQ people face on a daily basis, highlights their impact on mental health, and discusses ways mental health providers can help clients process and address microaggressions. Dismantling Everyday Discrimination: Microaggressions Toward LGBTQ People, 2nd ed | Kevin Leo Yabut Nadal Ph.D. | American Psychological Association | 2023 | 329 pages | ISBN: 978-1433840159 | WorldCat

Lives of LGBT Older AdultsThis book uses a life course perspective to explore not only the challenges and needs of LGBT older adults, but also their strengths and resilience. The Lives of LGBT Older Adults: Understanding Challenges and Resilience | Nancy A Orel Ph.D. and Christine A Fruhaurf Ph.D. | American Psychological Association | 2015 | 241 pages | ISBN: 978-1433817632 | WorldCat

Reports

Featured Books
Title: Brace for Impact
Author Gabe Montesanti
Publisher The Dial Press
Year published 2022
Book image Brace for Impact book cover
Title: How It Feels To Float
Author Helena Fox
Publisher Dial Books
Year published 2019
Book image How It Feels To Float book cover
Title: Kimiko Does Cancer
Author Kimiko Tabimatsu
Publisher Arsenal Pulp Press
Year published 2020
Book image Kimiko Does Cancer book cover
Title: Little & Lion
Author Brandy Colbert
Publisher Little, Brown Young Readers
Year published 2017
Book image Little and Lion book cover
Title: Mama's Boy
Author Dustin Lance Black
Publisher Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group
Year published 2019
Book image Mama's Boy book cover
Title: This Is How It Always Is
Author Laurie Frankel
Publisher Flatiron Books
Year published 2017
Book image This Is How It Always Is book cover

Terms of use: Network of the National Library of Medicine (NNLM) staff offer these health discussion resources for educational use. The materials included do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the author, publisher, or the sponsoring agencies of the National Library of Medicine (NLM) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH).