LGBTQ Health by Brenna Cyr, Program Coordinator Domestic Violence Services

Whittier Street Health Center’s mission is to provide high quality, reliable and accessible primary care and support services for diverse populations to promote wellness and eliminate health and social disparities. In order to successfully address our mission in a meaningful way, it is necessary to attend to the specific needs of the transgender community. Transpeople face significant barriers in accessing healthcare, which has led to negative health outcomes, especially for Transpeople of color.

According to a recent study, the average life expectancy in Boston’s Roxbury neighborhood is just under 59 years; just a few miles away, in the Back Bay, residents can expect to live into their early 90’s and for transgender people of color around the world it is 32.  Even though this does not account for different health care systems across the world, the drastic disparity in life expectancy is also reflected by limited access to jobs, healthcare, and housing as Transpeople can be legally discriminated against in 31 states. In the United States 19% of transgender people lack any form of health insurance, and most insurance plans do not cover medically necessary treatment for transitioning. When transgender people have access to medical care their mental health improves, suicide rates drop, and Medicaid money is saved.

Whittier stands with Transpeople and will continue to provide lifesaving treatments such as hormone therapy, behavioral health services, peer support, and many others. By providing a welcoming atmosphere for people who have been turned away from care, we hope to decrease health disparities and ensure that Transpeople are able to lead their healthiest life possible.

Whittier Street Health Center’s LGBTQ clinic provides primary medical and mental health care and supportive services that are sensitive to the needs of people who identify themselves on the LGBTQ spectrum. The clinic will provides care that respects the unique health care needs of the LGBTQ community. Please contact us to schedule an appointment and begin your life of health and wellness at 617-427-1000 Mon-Fri: 8:30 AM – 8:00 PM or Sat: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM

(Statistics taken from GLAAD at glad.org/healthcare.)