168662 Medical Care Access and Hormone Access among Male-to-Female Transgender Persons in New York City

Monday, October 27, 2008: 5:24 PM

Nelson F. Sanchez, MD , Internal Medicine, NYU Medical Center, New York, NY
     
Objectives: To investigate health care utilization, risk behaviors and hormone use among male-to-female (MTF) transgender persons residing in New York City.

Methods: Interviews were conducted with 101 MTF transgender persons residing in New York City. Quantitative data collected included socio-demographic characteristics, health-related behavior, current health care provider(s), barriers to care, hormone source, and hormone use.

Results: 77% of subjects (N=78) reported having health insurance and 81% (N=82) reported seeing a general practitioner in the past year. Cost of medical care, and perception of inability to access a transgender friendly and trans-knowledgeable provider were identified as barriers to care. MTF's with access to health care providers were more likely to abstain from smoking and obtain hormone supplies from traditional sources. MTF's both with and without regular medical care are using hormone regimens that are not consistent with current standards of care.

Conclusions: Utilization of health care providers is associated with reduction of some high-risk behaviors but does not result in Standard of Care recommended for transgender individuals.

Learning Objectives:
Identify current obstacles to health care experienced by transgender individuals residing in an urban community Describe the benefits and current deficiencies in medical care provided to transgender individuals with access to care Discuss the variation in hormone access and utilization among transgender individuals

Keywords: Underserved Populations, Access to Care

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: No conflict of interest per APHA Guidelines
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

See more of: Transgender Health
See more of: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Caucus of Public Health Workers