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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Recorded presentation

Nfn Scout, PhD, Scout, 110 Grove St., Lincoln, RI 02865, 401-263-5092, scoutout@gmail.com

The WHO's social determinants model provides an excellent lens for interpreting the documented adverse health outcomes experienced by transgender people. This framework contextualizes epidemiological information, situating it within a larger context of social justice and discriminatory gender oppression. The author conducted life history interviews with 13 transgender people, focus groups with 16 transgender people and 9 in-depth interviews with “key informants” as dissertation research for a public health degree. A diverse participant pool allows for the observation of trends across race and class. Resultant findings show that transgender people are “compromised survivors” who both experience and challenge gender-based oppression. Stress, (lack of) social support, and social exclusion are the primary social determinants of transgender health. Violence-related stress is most pronounced. Violence against transgender people is associated with level of gender variance; transgender people who regularly “pass” as either gender reported lower frequency of violence. Internal gender oppression creates another layer of stress, often manifesting itself through addictions. Social support is weak or absent for many transgender people. Participants experience alienation from families-of-origin, friend networks, and potential romantic partners. Social exclusion of transgender people further compromises health status. Exclusion from healthcare, education, housing, and employment means that transgender people often lack access to basic resources. The demographic factors of SES, race, gender vector (MTF or FTM), and ability to pass as gender normative have an interactive effect with social determinants. The findings suggest that highest priority interventions for this population include: early-life safety net, trauma, and life stabilizing services.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to

• List the top social determinants that impact transgender health
• Articulate examples of how these determinants interact to influence health outcomes
• Describe priority interventions that address these issues for transgender people
• Analyze how gender and social justice issues impact health outcomes for transgender people.

Keywords: Social Justice, Gender

Related Web page: www.scoutout.org

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No

Recorded presentation