N. Scientific session: Healthcare & Treatment Disparities Among Sexual and Gender Minority Individuals Across Europe

Abstract Research conducted across numerous countries finds that sexual minority (e.g., lesbian, gay, and bisexual LGB) and gender minority (e.g., transgender T) individuals represent high-risk populations for poor mental health, several specific physical health concerns, and other aspects of reduced well-being. These disparities are know to, at least partially, be a consequence of a stigmatizing environment and sexual and gender minority individuals’ disproportionate exposure to stigma-based stress compared to cisgender (i.e., non-transgender) heterosexuals. Stigma occurs at multiple levels to compromise LGBT individuals’ health. At the structural level, stigma manifests as unjust laws, policies, and cultural norms that deny, or fail to protect, the equal rights of LGBT individuals. At the interpersonal level, stigma manifests as discrimination in social interactions, including in the health care situation. At the individual level, stigma can tax LGBT individuals’ coping resources by requiring costly behavioral strategies such as concealment of one's LGBT identity. In this workshop, four studies from different regional environment with varying degree of structural stigma will be presented, i.e., Sweden, Switzerland, Portugal, and the Netherlands. They present novel findings on health disparities and efforts to understand the processes and mechanism underlying LGBT populations increased risk of health inequalities. Dr. Bränström will present a study of health disparities and differences affecting sexual minority populations across a comprehensive range of 75 diagnosis and conditions, using a large population-based sample with a 17-year follow-up in national health care registries. Dr. Pieri will present a mixed-method study of struggles that sexual and gender minority healthcare professionals face in their workplace. Tobias Kuhnert will present experiences from an ongoing study of young sexual and gender minorities using a participatory approach, including lessons learned, best practices, and challenges. Dr. Di Luigi will present findings from the first empirical examination of long-term adverse childhood experience trends in trans gender and gender diverse youth referred to gender clinics and assess their psychological outcomes following care. Key messages • Results from a first examination of health disparities affecting sexual minority populations across a comprehensive range of health diagnoses, motivating future studies of etiological pathways. • Participatory design brings LGBTQ+ communities, health professionals and policy makers closer together, breaking down barriers and developing targeted, shared, effective and inclusive practices.