Social Determinants of Health Among the LGBTQ Community
An individual’s health is influenced by many factors. Nurse Practitioners must be versed in all factors and adept in assessing the impact of economic conditions, education, environment, and social conditions on health.
Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) have a major impact on people’s health, well-being, and quality of life. Examples of SDOH include:
Safe housing, transportation, and neighborhoods
Racism, discrimination, and violence
Education, job opportunities, and income
Access to nutritious foods and physical activity opportunities
Polluted air and water
Language and literacy skills
For this Discussion, you will explore Social Determinants of Health and five areas that are impacted. For your community where you reside, assess these five areas. You will also explore available instruments to complete a full assessment of an individual’s SDOH.
RESOURCES
Be sure to review the Learning Resources before completing this activity.
Click the weekly resources link to access the resources.
WEEKLY RESOURCES
To prepare:
Who is most affected?
What major challenges have you found?
What changes could you propose?
What risk assessment instruments would be appropriate to use when assessing your community?
Identify any potential health-related risks based upon the community age groups.
Week 1: Social Determinants of Health Among the LGBTQ Community
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Impact of Economic Stability on Healthcare Access within the LGBTQ Community
In the United States, low socioeconomic status affects economic stability and access to essential healthcare services within the LGBTQ community. The role of steady employment in reducing poverty and improving health is acknowledged, yet barriers to obtaining and retaining jobs persist, especially for individuals from the LGBTQ community. Furthermore, even amid stable employment, a notable LGBTQ community lacks the financial resources to afford vital health-related necessities. Proposed interventions encompass measures to enhance employment prospects, including employment programs, career counseling, and dependable childcare services. Policy initiatives to alleviate financial hardships related to essentials like food, housing, healthcare, and education are recommended strategies to mitigate poverty and enhance overall health and well-being.
Influence of Neighborhood Environment on Health Disparities within the LGBTQ Community
Within the LGBTQ community residing in a low socioeconomic context, the impact of neighborhood environments on health and well-being holds significant implications. Many reside in areas marked by heightened health and safety risks, including violence and subpar air or water quality. Racial and ethnic minorities and those with lower incomes disproportionately bear the brunt of these risks. This pattern extends to the LGBTQ community within the low socioeconomic context, further exacerbating health disparities (Holmes & Beach, 2020; Rosenthal et al., 2019). In order to address this, interventions at various levels of governance are recommended to mitigate health and safety hazards and promote community well-being. Strategies include infrastructural enhancements, the creation of walkable neighborhoods, and establishing environments prioritizing safety and overall health.
Link Between Educational Attainment and Health Impact for the LGBTQ Community
Within the low socioeconomic community, the connection between educational attainment and health outcomes is significant for the LGBTQ community. Higher levels of education correlate with improved health and increased longevity. However, educational challenges extend to the LGBTQ community within the low socioeconomic context, compounding the impact on health and well-being. The study by Phillips et al. (2020) reports significant relationships between victimization and substance use, with unexpected findings indicating higher victimization and substance use among those utilizing LGBTQ spaces, particularly evident in LGBTQ community centers and school groups when considering disclosure of non-heterosexual identity. Despite this, disparities in accessing quality education persist, particularly for LGBTQ individuals living in areas with underperforming schools. Strategies encompass equitable access to high-quality education, particularly for marginalized demographics, and the establishment of support systems to counteract the effect...