Pioneering in every way, the Healthy People 2010 Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Companion Document has begun to "break the sound barrier" on LGBT health issues. Upon examining what culturally appropriate services are presently available concerning substance abuse issues, it is patently clear that access to treatment services for transgendered individuals are all but erased. And the invisibility of this population has and continues to be institutionally sanctioned. In addition, there has been minimal funding to research this population. Two studies have been conducted in Atlanta, GA on transgender prostitutes. These two studies found that the rate of crack use in this population was 71% and 56.3%. Another study taken in Boston estimated that at least 80% of the transgender community in the Boston area have substance abuse problems (1995). Discrimination, stigmatization, and lack of legal protection are among the social and political barriers that obstruct health care access to the transgender population. This presentation will examine the barriers to treatment and recovery for the transgender individual. A closer look at what distinguishes this population in terms of risk behaviors and substance issues from the Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual populations. And a brief overview of Healthy People 2010 LGBT Companion Document as it relates to substance abuse from a transgender perspective. See JRI Health.org/Programs
Learning Objectives: 1. Participants will be able to discuss and identify the three most critical barriers for the Transgender population which are directly link to issues of substance abuse. 2. To analyze and assess the salient differences between Transgenders and the Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual populations seeking treatment. 3. Participants will be able to assess the inequalities and develop solutions pertaining to historical standards of practice for treatment and recovery regarding the transgendered individual.
Keywords: Substance Abuse, Healthy People 2000/2010
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: TransHealth and Education Development Program
The Justice Resource Insitute Health
Massachusetts Department of Public Health
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.