On May 31, 2011, President Obama, again issued a proclamation declaring the month of June Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Pride month. In his presidential proclamation, President Obama wrote, "Each June, we commemorate the courageous individuals who have fought to achieve this promise for LGBT Americans, and we rededicate ourselves to the pursuit of equal rights for all, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity" (1).
In his proclamation, President Obama also acknowledges the impact of the HIV/AIDS epidemic on the LGBT community. Three decades ago, on June 5, 1981, a report about five patients—all gay men—appeared in an issue of the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR). This was the first federal report on what would become known as AIDS. Since that time, countless organizations and agencies evolved to combat HIV. Some lobbied for equitable funding for HIV research, while others focused on care for people living with HIV/AIDS, HIV/AIDS prevention strategies, and a cure for HIV. Here in the Northeast Ohio area, there are several research studies in development or underway regarding HIV prevention. The AIDS Clinical Trials Unit (ACTU) at University Hospitals/Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine in Cleveland is conducting a phase 2 trial to evaluate the safety and effect of the vaccine. This vaccine trial, in addition to recent reports on the use of anti-retrovirals for HIV Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) hold promise for new prevention strategies for HIV transmission. Those interested in the vaccine clinical trial (HVTN 505) can learn more about this at www.hopetakesaction.org.
On the federal level, several events this month are worth noting. On June 9th, the Veteran's Health Administration (VHA) issued a Directive to all of its facilities establishing a policy of respectful delivery of healthcare to transgender and intersex veterans who are enrolled in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) healthcare system or are otherwise eligible for VA care. This Directive is an important first step in securing equal access for transgender and Intersex veterans, and healthcare access for transgender people generally, by setting an example of how healthcare providers in both the public and private sector should be treating transgender patients. This is great step forward for transgender veterans who will now be treated more equally than they sometimes have been (2).
One week later on June 16th, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released the National Prevention Strategy, called for under the Affordable Care Act. For the first time, the strategy outlines four strategic directions identified as fundamental to improving the nation’s health, including eliminating health disparities(3).
For those of you interested in a little light reading this summer while on the beach, consider downloading the 293 page Institute of Medicine (IOM) Report on LGBT Health. According to a recent announcement by the National Academies Press (NAP), NAP publications that were previously for sale, including the Institute of Medicine’s report, The Health of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender People: Building a Foundation for Better Understanding, will now be available for free on the NAP website. You can download the free pdf at: http://www.iom.edu/Reports/2011/The-Health-of-Lesbian-Gay-Bisexual-and-Transgender-People.aspx
I wish you all a safe and happy June Pride and hope you find this information useful. I welcome your comments and questions.
Be well and be fabulous,
Henry Ng, MD
References:
1. Presidental Proclamation - LGBT Pride Month 2011: http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2011/05/31/presidential-proclamation-lesbian-gay-bisexual-and-transgender-pride-mon
2. Veteran's Health Directive on Transgender Healthcare Delivery: http://www.va.gov/vhapublications/ViewPublication.asp?pub_ID=2416
3. National Prevention Strategy America’s Plan for Better Health and Wellness
June: http://www.healthcare.gov/center/councils/nphpphc/strategy/report.pdf
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