2SLGBTQI+ people in Canada experience significant health inequities due to multiple and intersecting oppressions, experiences of stigma, discrimination, invisibility, and lack of cultural competency among healthcare professionals, including within public health. As such, 2SLGBTQI+ people in Canada are at greater risk of chronic and infectious disease, languishing (poor) mental health, mental illness and suicidal ideation as well as lack of sufficient income, inadequate housing, homelessness, food insecurity, substance use disorders, lack of access to appropriate healthcare, and poor employment conditions. The increased risk of negative health outcomes is not due to being 2SLGBTQI+.The health inequities experienced by 2SLGBTQI+ people in Canada are due to the compounding impacts of these multiple factors over time.
Building on a recent publication titled Advancing 2SLGBTQI health equity as a public health priority, this session will describe the concept of gender-affirming public health and positions 2SLGBTQI+ health equity as a public health priority. An overview of literature related to the roots of health inequities and key priority issues experienced by 2SLGBTQI+ people will be shared. Opportunities for and examples of public health action at system-levels, in place-based settings, and through individual interactions will be described to support policy and practice change at all levels of public health to address the structural and social causes of 2SLGBTQI+ health inequities.
This webinar will be of interest to:
- Public health practitioners and researchers at all levels (early, mid, and later career) with an interest in population health equity
- Any professionals, organizations, and community members working to address the factors influencing health equity in their communities
- Those working both in broad health equity as well as directly in the area of 2SLGBTQI+ health
After attending this webinar, participants will be able to:
- Describe foundational concepts that shape inequities experienced by 2SLGBTQI+ people.
- Consider how intersecting structural and social determinants of health experienced by 2SLGBTQI+ people impact physical, mental, and emotional health outcomes.
- Describe gender-affirming public health and what this means in daily practice.
- Identify areas of public health action and individual practice level as well as organizational and system levels to advance health equity for 2SLGBTQI+ people.
