THE Government launched a 10-year action plan to improve the health and wellbeing of the LGBTIQA community last week, a move applauded by peak health and medical bodies, including the Public Health Association of Australia (PHAA) and Australian Medical Association (AMA).
The National Action Plan for the Health and Wellbeing of LGBTIQA People 2025-2035 features five key focus areas, including strengthening preventative health and building health literacy; enhancing accessibility, availability and safety of health care services; and ensuring workforce capability and capacity across both mainstream and LGBTIQA led services.
The Government also announced a $15.5 million investment into system-wide improvements that ensure LGBTIQA people can access safe, appropriate and stigma-free health and wellbeing care.
"We know that discrimination, stigma, and harassment, both within and outside the health care system, lead to poorer health outcomes for LGBTIQA people compared to the wider community," explained PHAA CEO, Adjunct Professor Terry Slevin.
"The Action Plan is a welcome step by the Government to address these disparities and make safe, inclusive and high-quality health care available to all LGBTIQA people," Prof Slevin said.
AMA President Dr Danielle McMullen congratulated members of the LGBTQIA health sector for their work on the plan.
"People who are LGBTQIA thrive in healthcare environments where they feel safe, affirmed, respected and understood," Dr McMullen said.
"The principles of patient-centred care, consent, non-discrimination, bodily autonomy, and respect are central to healthcare for people who are LGBTQIASB ," Dr McMullen said, adding that they "deserve nothing less". KB
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