LGBTQIA+ community encouraged to share health needs

Murrumbidgee Primary Health Network (MPHN) is asking members of the LGBTQIA+ community to complete a quick, anonymous health survey and attend an online health and wellbeing discussion group as part of Pride month.

MPHN is seeking feedback on the specific health needs of the LGBTQIA+ community to better understand health needs in the Murrumbidgee.

Senior Manager System Integration Anita McRae said MPHN had tailored its Health Needs Assessment survey to help collect the LGBTQIA+ community’s feedback, as well as engaged ACON and Urbis to conduct the online health and wellbeing discussion groups, to be held on 27 and 28 June 2023 from 5:30pm to 7:30pm.

“LGBTQIA+ communities experience significant health disparities when compared to the general population in Australia,” Ms McRae said.

“We want to gain a thorough understanding of the experiences our LGBTQIA+ community have when using health services in our region, which will assist our planning for future health programs and initiatives.”

LGBTQIA+ people living in regional areas experience higher rates of mental health issues compared to their metropolitan peers, often linked to social isolation, limited opportunities for interactions with their peers, and pressure to keep sexuality, gender, and intersex variations hidden. Regional areas often have limited LGBTQIA+ specific services and gender affirming treatments and care.

Director of ACON’s Pride Inclusion Programs Dawn Emsen-Hough said she was encouraging all LGBTQIA+ people living in the Murrumbidgee to complete the Health Needs Assessment survey.

“Let us know what your experiences are in terms of your own health and health service interactions, as well as being a member of your wider community,” Ms Emsen-Hough said.

“We want everyone to receive high quality, safe, inclusive, and responsive healthcare, regardless of where they live.”

The LGBTQIA+ online health and wellbeing discussion groups will be held on 27 and 28 June 2023 from 5:30pm to 7:30pm.

For workshop and survey information, please visit mphn.org.au/lgbtqia-health