Advancing Health Equity: The Need to Measure Sex, Gender Identity, and Sexual Orientation
In a recent exclusive interview with Healio, Dr. Marshall Chin highlighted the significance of measuring sex, gender identity, and sexual orientation to advance health equity. Dr. Chin, an esteemed healthcare ethics professor at the University of Chicago, emphasized the importance of understanding patients’ lived experiences in providing optimal care.
Unfortunately, the healthcare profession and research community often fall short in capturing and comprehending the diverse experiences of LGBTQ individuals. This knowledge gap can have detrimental consequences for LGBTQ patients’ well-being and access to appropriate healthcare services.
Dr. Chin, during his keynote lecture at ObesityWeek, elucidated the distinctions between sex, gender identity, and sexual orientation and provided insights on how to effectively measure them. He also shared valuable resources that clinicians can utilize to incorporate these important considerations into their practice.
The need for accurate measurement is underscored by the publication of two reports by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. These reports, Measuring Sex, Gender Identity, and Sexual Orientation and Understanding the Well-Being of LGBTQI+ Populations, further emphasize the need to address the unique challenges faced by LGBTQ individuals in healthcare.
To ensure health equity, it is imperative that medical professionals and researchers adopt a comprehensive approach that includes measuring and understanding sex, gender identity, and sexual orientation. By acknowledging and incorporating these factors into healthcare practices, providers can cultivate an environment that embraces diversity and promotes optimal care for all patients.
In conclusion, measuring sex, gender identity, and sexual orientation is crucial for advancing health equity. Dr. Chin’s insights and resources offer valuable guidance for clinicians seeking to better understand and address the unique experiences of LGBTQ patients. By embracing inclusivity and incorporating these factors into healthcare practices, the medical community can take significant strides towards achieving health equity for all.
