8 Ekim 2012 Pazartesi

HRC Foundation Expands the Net of LGBT Healthcare Equality

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FORIMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 12, 2012
Paul Guequierre 


Human Rights Campaign Foundation Expands theNet of LGBT Healthcare Equality
 Newprogram to focus on healthcare of LGBT seniors
WASHINGTON –With the goal of securing quality healthcare free of prejudice anddiscrimination for all Americans, the Human Rights Campaign Foundation, theeducational arm of the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender(LGBT) civil rights organization, today announced the formation of aninnovative, wide-ranging Health and Aging Program. The new program will addressboth the health concerns of all LGBT Americans and the particular challengesfaced by LGBT elders, including discrimination, mistreatment and isolation. According to a study by MetLife, nearly one-third of gays and lesbians saydiscrimination based on sexual orientation is their greatest concern aboutaging.     

“LGBT eldersdeserve unbiased, equitable, and welcoming healthcare and services,” said HRCPresident Chad Griffin.   “HRC’s Health and Aging program will helpensure they receive that care while expanding our already highly effective workin the health arena.”

To head theHealth and Aging program, HRC hired Shane Snowdon, a seasoned advocate andnationally recognized expert on LGBT health and wellness. Snowdon comes to HRCfrom the University of California San Francisco, where she founded theacclaimed Center for LGBT Health & Equity in 1999.  Snowdon, who hasserved on the HRC Foundation Healthcare Equality Index (HEI) national advisorycouncil, has provided training on LGBT healthcare to thousands of healthcareproviders, developed criteria for culturally competent and welcoming LGBT care,and advocated for LGBT equality in a wide variety of settings.

“As a memberof the first ‘out’ generation, I’m very excited about the work ahead,” saidSnowdon. “LGBT people face real challenges around health and aging, and I lookforward to making a real difference in their lives through my work in this newprogram.”

The Healthand Aging program will include HRC’s signature health initiative, the Healthcare Equality Index, which showcasesU.S. healthcare facilities that have demonstrated a commitment to LGBT equityand inclusion. The HEI, which has focused primarily on hospitals, will beexpanded to survey and report on nursing and long-term care facilities servingelders.

The Healthand Aging Program will also address other critical needs, includingmuch-expanded LGBT training for healthcare and social services providers. Theprogram will additionally provide a wealth of resources for LGBT people of allages, designed to maximize their wellbeing and minimize the inequities theyencounter.

TheHuman Rights Campaign is America’s largest civil rights organization working toachieve lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality. By inspiring andengaging all Americans, HRC strives to end discrimination against LGBT citizensand realize a nation that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all.

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