CalOptima’s Post

I have a passion for designing maternal and child health initiatives. Over the last few weeks I have been engaged in an important pilot project for maternal and child health in New Zealand. The message is simple, over and over and over on repeat. We have to do more, through and with women and families, to advance care for women. Because we are leaving lots to fall through the gaps. A simple start is what is "better" care and what does UHC at basic level mean for women and adolescent girls. When our families can understand, articulate, and take ownership of their care then we are on our way to success. Adding to this is accessing of services and care when it is required. #leavenowomenbehind #maternalhealth #childhealth #earlyintervention https://lnkd.in/gAi79QM2

The ATN has been invited to speak on research addressing health inequities for an upcoming webinar hosted by The Choice Agenda (TCA), set to be held on February 15, 2024, from 9:00 am-10:30 am EST. This webinar will highlight two upcoming ATN studies, and: 1) ATN 165: Linking Youth to PrEP Services (LYPS) which tests an innovative mobile delivery and mHealth intervention to optimize PrEP adherence and persistence among sexual minority men 2) ATN 167: Legal, Economic, and Affirming Peer Support (LEAP) for transgender and gender-diverse youth, and how the network prioritizes and amplifies the voices of youth directly impacted by the ATN’s pivotal research 3) Panel of youth experts from the ATN Register now and share this opportunity with a colleague: https://lnkd.in/gzzGxreW. #ATNResearch

In the realm of #healthcare, leaders tend to think about "equity" in terms of various social determinants of health (#SDOH). Although the #lgbtqiaplus community falls into SDOH considerations, these individuals often get overlooked. In this article, ABC news discusses why the LGBTQIA+ community disproportionately experiences barriers to healthcare—and why that needs to change ASAP. #sdoh #socialdeterminantsofhealth #healthequity #healthcareforall #lgbtqia

“Approximately 1 percent of healthcare research and innovation is invested in female-specific conditions beyond oncology,” according to McKinsey. Forbes 2023 I am just one of the hundreds of thousands of young women in the UK living with Long-Term Health Conditions. Affecting people’s ability to live independently with financial security, rent and work in the Cost of Living Crisis. Not every woman will be able to work a part-time 30-hour week. Women have so much potential, but they need the opportunity to thrive in flexible and supportive working environments. The privileged white men need to step aside. We need more people with real life experiences to make decisions. To lead, to educate... #genderpaygap #genderhealthgap #genderpaingap #womenshealth #womensupportingwomen #women #chronicillness #disabilities #longcovid #endometriosis #chronicfatigue #severemyalgicencephalomyelitis #myalgicencephalomyelitis #biomedicalresearch #biomedicalfunds

Understanding and supporting diverse gender identities is crucial for mental health and well-being, helping alleviate higher rates of depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation among #transgender and gender-diverse individuals. It fosters #socialinclusion, reduces stigma and discrimination, and ensures equitable and respectful healthcare access. This understanding also drives essential legal and policy reforms, creates supportive environments in education and work, and aligns with #humanrights principles. A recent hybrid workshop by Association for Transgender Health in India, AIIMS (All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi), and #ECHOIndia highlighted the need for gender-affirmative healthcare in India, focusing on both non-medical and medical care. Attended by 59 healthcare professionals from iECHO, the event featured esteemed speakers like Dr. Rajni Sharma, Dr. Kavita Arora, Dr Sanjay Kalra, Dr. Debmalya Sanyal, and Dr Zoya Ali Rizvi from Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India. They emphasized the importance of policy reforms to create inclusive spaces for transgender and gender-diverse youth. This webinar underscored the importance of understanding and support, promoting inclusive practices and policies in healthcare.

Today is the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia, a day to raise awareness about 2SLGBTQI+ rights. The date was chosen to commemorate May 17th, 1990, when the World Health Organization declassified homosexuality as a mental disorder. According to Statistics Canada, Canada is home to an estimated 1 million people who are 2SLGBTQI+, approximately 7% of whom are seniors. Despite strides that have been made in recent decades to promote equality, many seniors in the 2SLGBTQI+ community have faced systemic discrimination and oppression over their lifetime. Attached is a list of resources and initiatives focused on the diverse needs of 2SLGBTQI+ seniors. The National Resource Centre on 2SLGBTQI Aging: https://lnkd.in/gDP_uFHD [Recorded Webinar] Aging & Living Well: Beyond Health Considerations for LGBTQI Older Adults Project: https://lnkd.in/gW48aesC Share your thoughts: Helping 2SLGBTQI+ Older Adults to Age in Place https://lnkd.in/gCz7VsXn Statistics Canada Research: https://lnkd.in/gimAd_2j LGBT end-of-life conversations website (SFU Gerontology): https://lnkd.in/gzn-mRvx LGBT2SQ Seniors: An evidence review and practical guide designed for healthcare providers and researchers: https://lnkd.in/gDm9Y4s9 #albertaseniors #healthyagingalberta #2SLGBTQIA #LGBTQSeniors

Transgender and Non-Binary people face significant health disparities due to discrimination and limited access to affirming healthcare. 🌟 Policy Development: Develop inclusive policies supporting TGNB individuals (non-discrimination, respectful language, gender-affirming care). Communicate and enforce policies consistently. Creating Safe Spaces: Ask and use pronouns consistently with all patients. Provide universal accommodations (gender- neutral restrooms, ADA compliant door frames, and door stoppers to prevent slamming). Advocacy and Policy Engagement: Advocate privately for policy changes to remove systemic barriers to care and promote health equity at local, state, and national levels. Education and Awareness: Ensure all staff are educated about TGNB health disparities and barriers to care. Provide capacity-building training to reduce barriers and improve health outcomes. Join us in learning about health equity and how we can all take action. Whether through keynote speeches or strategic coaching, we empower healthcare providers to better serve Transgender, Non-Binary, and Intersex communities. (Link in Comments) #CommunicationSkills #PatientCare #InclusiveCare #HealthcareProfessional #HealthcareWorkers #HealthCareAdvocate #TransCommunity ##TransCommunityMatters #InclusiveHealthcare

Sexual Reproductive Health Rights is Human Rights

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Office of Minority Health (OMH) recently released two new infographics. The first calls attention to the unique health care challenges and barriers that members of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Questioning, Intersex, Asexual, and Two Spirit (LGBTQI+) communities face. The second explains how ICD-10-CM Z codes can help improve the collection of Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) data and how that data can improve health equity in health care delivery. Check out these infographics and others on the Health Equity Resource Hub. https://ow.ly/l1UI50Qt7za