While the numbers are alarming, community advocates said they are not surprising.
DENVER — A new Colorado study highlights significant disparities in health care for people of color and the LGBTQ community. While the numbers are alarming, community advocates said they are not surprising.
“We know it’s common in our community,” Policy Director Jax Gonzalez said. one coloradoan LGBTQ+ advocacy group. “That’s why we are moving forward with a multi-layered approach to increase access, reduce stigma and increase resources for Coloradans.”
Regarding the investigation, Colorado Consumer Health InitiativeA nonpartisan organization surveyed 1,400 people. Research shows that 36% of LGBTQ people ration their medications because of cost. This compares to 24% for non-LGBTQ individuals.
“If you break this number down further by identity, it would be even higher,” Gonzalez said. “It’s really disheartening to know that no matter how hard we try, the vast majority of our community doesn’t have access to care.”
The study also analyzed results for communities of color, with a particular focus on Latino and Hispanic communities. Vanessa Martinez, Policy Director colorLatinx reproductive rights groups said they were disappointed by the numbers.
”[It] “It’s very sad and unfortunately it’s something we keep seeing,” she said.
Research shows that 80% of Latino or Hispanic people went without any care because of cost. This compares to 63% for non-Latino individuals.
“This is a problem, and there are things we can do as a community so that we don’t have to talk about how disappointed we are in the next report that comes out,” Martinez said.
Martinez and Gonzalez said they believe changing policies, educating health care providers and expanding access to care may be the answer to reducing these disparities.
“I think this will help us understand where we can go next to increase access to gender-affirming care and health care to a broader population,” Gonzalez said.
The study also found that LGBTQ people and people of color are not getting the treatment they need because they feel disrespected by health care providers. Local advocates want medical facilities to devote more resources to training staff.
