Session: Physical, Mental, and Sexual Health Among Transgender Adults: Domestic and Global Implications for Research and Practice (Society for Social Work and Research 21st Annual Conference - Ensure Healthy Development for all Youth)

Transgender individuals face numerous barriers to accessing health care regardless of whether they seek transgender affirming, preventative, routine, emergency care or mental health and social services. This community is regularly denied access to health care and social services and must navigate serious obstacles when accessing care.  Barriers to health care include, health insurance practices that do not cover gender affirming care; the cost of transgender-related care (e.g., gender reassignment surgery, hormones therapy); lack of training for providers in transgender health; and institutional policies and practices that create unsafe environments for transgender individuals to receive care.  Additionally, fear of stigmatization or previous negative experiences within the health care system may lead transgender individuals to postpone or forgo health care all together.  Locating a health provider who is knowledgeable about the needs of transgender individuals is the most common barrier to care.   Unfortunately, once an individual is able to locate a provider, they often find themselves in the role of educator. A limited number of providers are able and willing to treat transgender individuals, making it difficult to secure appointments for both gender affirming and routine medical care.  Individuals may need to travel far distances to find an accommodating and knowledgeable provider.

There is a dearth of empirical research on the social, emotional, and physical health of transgender individuals.  This symposium fills an important gap in research by utilizing both quantitative and qualitative methodologies to examine the physical, psychosocial, and sexual health needs of the transgender community.

The first paper explores the lived experiences and measured risk factors associated with HIV acquisition among  trans feminine individuals in Beirut, Lebanon.  The second paper examines facilitators and barriers to pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) among transgender women considered at high-risk for HIV in New York City.  Finally, the third paper utilizes statewide health data to explore whether lack of access to transgender inclusive health care and delayed medical care due to anticipated discrimination predict poor mental and physical health outcomes among transgender adults. 

Together these studies provide a much needed perspective on the domestic and global physical, social, and emotional health needs of transgender individuals.   This symposium will help to shape future research through the examination of barriers and facilitators to health care for this underserved and understudied community.  The papers that comprise this symposium will also help social workers to better understand the individual, community, and structural level risk factors transgender individuals face and the ways in which social workers can help reduce barriers to health care and promote positive health outcomes among this population.