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    DECEMBER 2010

    IN THIS ISSUE
    [Click on the link to go to the story]
    1. Inclusive Healthy People 2020 Released
    2. Academics in Health Programs Urged to Support Same-Sex Marriage
    3. RAI Partners with Senator Gillibrand and Planned Parenhood in Community Forums on Bullying
    4. A New Weapon In the War Against AIDS
    5. One Gene Stops Ovaries from Turning into Testes
    6. National Coalition applauds appointment of Dr. Berwick to CMS
    7. American Lung Association releases report on LGBT tobacco use
    8. National Coalition Announces Fall Meeting and New Web Site
    9. New SIECUS State Profiles highlight shifting momentum to more comprehensive sex ed
    10. National Prevention, Health Promotion and Public Health Council issues first status report
    11. HRC, GLMA issue Healthcare Equality Index 2010
    12. Insurance coverage for part-time workers lags
    13. New policies and training lead to culturally competent care for LGBT patients
    14. SAGE to hold conference on the future of aging
    15. Forum on improving health outcomes now open
    16. Funding Opportunity: Partnerships Active in Communities to Achieve Health Equity (PAC)
    17. San Diego Site of 28th Annual GLMA Conference!
    18. AMA Journal of Ethics Devotes Its DECEMBER 2010 Issue to LGBT Health Care
    19. SAMHSA, HRSA Seek Grant Reviewers
    20. Institutional Discrimination Is Bad for Mental Health
    21. Transgender Patient Reports "Ridicule" at Indiana Hospital
    22. U.S. Rep Says Lift the Ban on Gay Men Donating Blood
    23. Federal Judge Blocks Arizona From Implementing State Law Eliminating Domestic Partner Benefits
    24. Lawsuit Involving Gay Couple Separated by County Officials Settled

    1. Inclusive Healthy People 2020 Released

    On December 2nd Healthy People 2010, the federal government's blueprint for building a healthier nation between 2010 and 2020, was released. The doument includes not only numerous objectives important for the LGBT community, but also an entire topic area devoted to LGBT health. Assistant Secretary for Health, Dr. Howard Koh, and community health advocates introduced the Healthy People 2020 website and objectives.The doument recognizes the disproportionate impact of conditions such as HIV/AIDS and tobacco use on the health of the LGBT community. Healthy People 2020 represents a significant advance in several aspects over previous versions. Most notably, the target areas and objectives will now be available in an interactive online format, and the entire document will be constantly updated to reflect progress made toward the objectives by participating communities, providers, and public health advocates from around the country. Go to the federal government's Healthy People site for more on The Healthy People 2020 target areas.

  • 2. Inclusive Healthy People 2020 Released

    On December 2nd Healthy People 2010, the federal government's blueprint for building a healthier nation between 2010 and 2020, was released. The doument includes not only numerous objectives important for the LGBT community, but also an entire topic area devoted to LGBT health. Assistant Secretary for Health, Dr. Howard Koh, and community health advocates introduced the Healthy People 2020 website and objectives.The doument recognizes the disproportionate impact of conditions such as HIV/AIDS and tobacco use on the health of the LGBT community. Healthy People 2020 represents a significant advance in several aspects over previous versions. Most notably, the target areas and objectives will now be available in an interactive online format, and the entire document will be constantly updated to reflect progress made toward the objectives by participating communities, providers, and public health advocates from around the country. Go to the federal government's Healthy People site for more on The Healthy People 2020 target areas.

  • 3. RAI Partners with Senator Gillibrand and Planned Parenhood in Community Forums on Bullying
    LGBT youth are bullied two to three times more often than their heterosexual peers. This harassment deprives them of equal educational opportunities by increasing their likelihood of skipping school, underachieving and dropping out.  It is also detrimental to their mental and physical health. As a mother of two young children, Senator Gillibrand understands the importance of giving our youth every opportunity to succeed in life and, as such, she has sponsored the Student Non-Discrimination Act, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity in public schools.  She believes it is vital that we work together to protect our students and ensure a safe and supportive learning environment. As part of her commitment, on October 7th at Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs and on November 30th at Utica College, the Office of Senator Kirsten Gillibrand partnered with RAI, Planned Parenthood Mohawk Hudson, AIDS Community Resources, the New York Civil Liberties Union, and Pride Along the Mohawk to present panel discussions aimed at increasing awareness and providing  resources for students, parents and teachers about the bullying of LGBTQ students in our schools. 

  • 4. A New Weapon In the War Against AIDS
    As reported in the November 28th edition of the New York Times, a well-established treatment pill has been shown to be effective as a prevention pill too. A clinical trial  showed that "taking Truvada, a pill combining two drugs, once a day would greatly reduce a gay man's chances of getting infected with the dangerous virus." Although studies are still needed to confirm the findings, "the practice - called 'pre-exposure prophylaxis,' or 'prep' - will, in theory, also protect sex workers, needle sharers, wives of infected men, prison inmates and anyone else at risk." 

  • 5. One Gene Stops Ovaries from Turning into Testes
    A report from the European Molecular Biology Laboratory [EUBL] builds on the fact that as embryos, our gonads aren't specific to either gender. Their default course is a female one, but they can be diverted through the action of a gene called SRY that sits on the Y chromosome. SRY activates another gene called Sox9, which sets off a chain reaction of flicked genetic switches. The result is that premature gonads develop into testes. Without SRY or Sox9, you get ovaries instead.   Henriette Uhlenhaut of the EUBLhas found that maleness isn't just forced onto developing gonads by the actions of SRY - it's permanently kept at bay by another gene called FOXL2. Uhlenhaut developed a strain of genetically engineered mice, whose copies of FOXL2 could be deleted with the drug tamoxifen. The females' ovaries turned into testes within just three weeks. The altered organs were testes right down to the structure of their cells and their portfolio of active genes. They developed testosterone-secreting Leydig cells, which pumped out as much of the hormone as their counterparts in XY mice. They only fell short of actually producing sperm. Uhlenhaut's work could help treat disorders of sexual development and eventually change how gender reassignment therapies are done, paving the way for gene therapies rather than multiple painful surgeries. For more, go to:     the EUBL site. 

  • 6. National Coalition applauds appointment of Dr. Berwick to CMS
    The Coalition strongly supports President Obama's recess appointment of Donald Berwick to head the Center for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS). Dr. Berwick has long been a champion of patients' rights, the development of community health care centers, and ensuring high quality of care. While there have been mixed responses to the mechanism used to fill this position, President Obama pointed out that 'many in Congress have decided to delay critical nominations for political purposes. These recess appointments will allow three extremely qualified candidates to get to work on behalf of the American people right away.' The Coalition remains optimistic that Dr. Berwick will oversee robust reform implementation.

  • 7. American Lung Association releases report on LGBT tobacco use
    A new report titled 'Smoking Out a Deadly Threat: Tobacco Use in the LGBT Community' found that smoking rates among the LGBT community appear to be double the national average. Contributing factors include high rates of stress and the role of 'bar culture' as a social venue for the LGBT community, which has normalized tobacco use. Leaders of the American Lung Association stated that it is difficult to find additional data or to gain attention for this issue, as few national studies include a question asking the sexual orientation or gender identity of survey participants. Smoking is the number one cause of preventable death and disease in the United States, and any group that smokes at a higher rate is likely to suffer illness and death at a higher rate, as well.

  • 8. National Coalition Announces Fall Meeting and New website
    The fall meeting of the National Coalition for LGBT Health will be October 25-27 in Washington, DC and will focus on the impact of healthcare reform as well as opportunities to influence state and federal action on LGBT health. (The date coincides with the Coalition's 10th Anniversary.) The organization also announced their brand new website [www.lgbthealth.net] which is filled with a wealth of resources. Of special note are new fact sheets about Affordable Care Act implementation and a fact sheet about the Pre-existing Condition Insurance Plans (PCIPs), one of the largest and most immediate initiatives under the Affordable Care Act. PCIPs are designed to offer coverage for uninsured Americans who have been denied insurance because of past illness and are now open for enrollment in many states.

  • 9. New SIECUS State Profiles highlight shifting momentum to more comprehensive sex ed
    Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States (SIECUS) recently released the 7th edition of its State Profiles: A Portrait of Sexuality Education and Abstinence-Only-Until-Marriage Programs in the States. The profiles, covering Federal Fiscal Year 2009, demonstrate a growing trend towards more comprehensive sexuality education, thanks in part to 190 million dollars in new funding from the federal government for evidence-based teen pregnancy prevention initiatives. While this is a positive trend, this shift is concurrent with the resurrection of the Title V abstinence-only-until-marriage program, which passed in the new healthcare bill.

  • 10. National Prevention, Health Promotion and Public Health Council issues first status report
    The National Prevention, Health Promotion and Public Health Council recently issued its first status report to Congress. The report begins the Council's process of creating a National Prevention and Health Promotion strategy, which will focus on community-based prevention. Chaired by Surgeon General Regina Benjamin and composed of senior government officials across many departments, the Council represents a new opportunity to put prevention at the forefront of the healthcare initiative and to coordinate government actions across the public and private sectors. The Coalition is working to make sure that the Council's work is inclusive of the needs of the LGBT community.

  • 11. HRC, GLMA issue Healthcare Equality Index 2010
    The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) and the Gay and Lesbian Medical Association (GLMA) recently issued the 2010 edition of its Healthcare Equality Index (HEI). HEI reports the results of an annual survey on healthcare facility policies on issues of concern to the LGBT community, including patient non-discrimination and visitation policies, cultural competency training and employment benefits. Two of the important policies covered in this edition include President Obama's order for regulations prohibiting discrimination in hospital visitation based on sexual orientation and gender identity, and the required LGBT-inclusive patient-centered care hospital accreditation from the Joint Commission.

  • 12. Insurance coverage for part-time workers lags
    According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, less than a third of employers that offer health insurance make it available to their part-time workers. While the healthcare reform bill promises that state-based exchanges will offer subsidized health plans and other forms of coverage for those who do not receive coverage through their work, these options will not be offered until 2014. In the interim three years, many part-time workers (particularly those with chronic diseases) may be at a loss for coverage options. Primary care services programs and employer-offered limited-benefit plans often cost more and offer less than insurance plans available to full-time employees. Community health centers offer an affordable alternative. However, while employers may be penalized for not covering full-time employees beginning in 2014, there will be no consequences for not covering those who work less than 30 hours per week.

  • 13. New policies and training lead to culturally competent care for LGBT patients
    The University of California at San Francisco Medical Center received two consecutive perfect scores in the 2008 and 2009 editions of the Healthcare Equality Index (HEI), the only institution in the United States to do so. This is due to the Center's comprehensive inclusion strategies, which include altering registration forms, visitation policies, electronic systems, and verbal communication protocols to make them more inclusive. Ongoing cultural competency training and education makes the Center safe and welcoming for the LGBT community.

  • 14. SAGE to hold conference on the future of aging
    The Services and Advocacy for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual & Transgender Elders (SAGE) will host a conference in New York from November 11-13 titled 'The Future of Aging is in Our Hands: A National Conference and Expo for LGBT Older Adults.' The conference will bring together hundreds of older LGBT adults and their allies to share wisdom, experience, and expertise in exploring solutions to challenging issues that shape the lives of the elder LGBT population. A detailed agenda and registration information will be available in DECEMBER. To participate in planning the conference agenda through a quick survey, please click here.

  • 15. Forum on improving health outcomes now open
    The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation is soliciting ideas on how communities can use the County Health Rankings to mobilize action to improve health outcomes. To do so, the Foundation has launched on online forum for public health and community leaders across the country to post ideas on how communities can, using the Rankings as a catalyst, start, expand or renew efforts to address the many social, economic, environmental and behavioral factors that affect health. Visit the forum to share your ideas on what motivates communities to take action, how to engage and mobilize partners across all sectors, and what types of tools, training and assistance can help communities improve health outcomes.

  • 16. Funding opportunity: Partnerships Active in Communities to Achieve Health Equity (PAC)
    The Office of Minority Health through the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is offering competitive grants to applicant organization that represent an integrated community-based network that includes a variety of healthcare, social, and support service entities. Between 8 and 10 awards will be given, ranging from $400,000 to $500,000. Grants must be applied towards improving the health of racial and ethnic minority populations through the development of programs and policies that address gaps and disparities. Applications are due by 5:00 p.m. EST on DECEMBER 2, 2010.

  • 17. San Diego Site of 28th Annual GLMA Conference!
    GLMA's 28th Annual Conference, the world's largest gathering of LGBT healthcare professionals, offers continuing medical education (CME) credits, continuing education units (CEUs) and the opportunity to network and socialize with LGBT healthcare professionals and allies from across the United States, Canada, and from other countries. The conference will be held in San Diego from Sept 22-25.

  • 18. AMA Journal of Ethics Devotes Its DECEMBER 2010 Issue to LGBT Health Care
    In its current edition, posted on 8/2/10, Virtual Mentor American Medical Association Journal of Ethics addresses sexual orientation, gender Identity and patient care. The Virtual Mentor website explains: 'as this month's authors assert, physicians must develop greater comfort in discussing sexuality and greater competence in caring for members of LGBT communities.' GLMA Secretary, Henry Ng, MD, and former GLMA President Kate O'Hanlan, MD, were both contributors to this issue. To read the AMA Journal of Ethics DECEMBER issue visit http://virtualmentor.ama-assn.org/

  • 19. SAMHSA, HRSA Seek Grant Reviewers
    As posted in a 7/27/10 email, the Gay & Lesbian Medical Association, in cooperation with the National Coalition for LGBT Health, is proud to partner with the Gay & Lesbian Leadership Institute's Presidential Appointments Project to find and assist potential LGBT and allied grant reviewers for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
           This is an opportunity to not only ensure that LGBT and allied voices are at the decision-making tables, but also for you to gain valuable insight into the HHS grant-making process. We also hope that any GLMA members who have served as HHS grant reviewers in the past will share their experiences with us to improve our effectiveness.

  • 20. Institutional Discrimination Is Bad for Mental Health
    In a 7/30/10 Huffington Post blog, a UNC-Chapel Hill sociologist reports that institutional discrimination contributed to the worsening of mental health for gay, lesbian, and bisexual adults in states banning marriages of same-sex couples. Citing a March 2010 study conducted by the American Journal of Public Health, Philip N. Cohen concludes that ''mental health worsened more for the GLB folks in the amendment states than for their hetero neighbors, and more than for the GLB respondents in the non-amendment states.' Read GLMA's report 'Same-Sex Marriage and Health,' which documents the large body of scientific research indicating that the denial of marriage rights to gay men and lesbians can negatively impact their health and well-being and that of their children. For the entire Huffington Post blog content go to h ttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/philip-n-cohen/institutional-discriminat_b_664917.html

  • 21. Transgender Patient Reports "Ridicule" at Indiana Hospital
    In an 8/2/10 broadcast, FOX59 News in Indianapolis reported on the claims by a transgender patient that she was ridiculed and refused treatment by staff at Ball Memorial Hospital. Advocacy groups have filed complaints against the hospital saying that the patient, Erin Vaught, was ''inhumanely treated, dehumanized, and disrespected.'
           Earlier this year GLMA worked with several organizations to make the policies of Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami more inclusive of the needs of the LGBT community.

  • 22. U.S. Rep Says Lift the Ban on Gay Men Donating Blood
    In a July 26 opinion piece for U.S. News & World Report, U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley (D-Ill.) calls for lifting the ban that prevents gay and bisexual men from donating blood: "Rather than perpetuating a flawed practice based on outdated science, we need a policy that prevents people who engage in high-risk behavior from donating while permitting low-risk donors to do so."
           For years, GLMA has been working to persuade the U.S. government and the public health community to oppose the FDA's ban on blood donation by men who have had sex with men since 1977. For the U.S. News & World Report opinion column go to http://politics.usnews.com/opinion/articles/2010/07/26/rep-mike-quigley-healthy-gay-men-should-not-be-banned-from-donating-blood.html

  • 23. Federal Judge Blocks Arizona From Implementing State Law Eliminating Domestic Partner Benefits
    As reported in The Arizona Republic on July 24, U. S. District Judge John Sedwick issued a preliminary injunction that prevents the State of Arizona from enforcing a law passed by the legislature in 2009 that would have prevented the domestic partners of lesbian and gay state employees from receiving health insurance benefits. Read GLMA's report 'Same-Sex Marriage and Health,' which documents the large body of scientific research indicating that the denial of marriage rights to gay men and lesbians can negatively impact their health and well-being and that of their children. For The Arizona Republic article go to http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/local/articles/2010/07/24/20100724gaybenefits0724.html.

  • 24. Lawsuit Involving Gay Couple Separated by County Officials Settled
    A July 25 San Francisco Chronicle article reported that Clay Green, a 78-year-old openly gay man, will receive a $653,000 settlement from Sonoma County, CA. Greene said the county forced him and his longtime partner into separate nursing homes and kept them apart until the partner died. For the San Francisco Chronicle article go to http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/07/25/BARH1EJA0S.DTL&type=printable

    [Information in this report is compiled from the Gay and Lesbian
    Medical Association's LGBT Health Digest, the National Coalition
    for LGBT Health's Updates and other LGBT health resources.]

    This page was updated on DECEMBER 30, 2010

    Rainbow Access Initiative is a non-profit 501(c)(3) educational and charitable organization created to address the educational needs of medical and social service professionals regarding the genuine heath and human service issues of the LGBT communities. We have two primary goals: the training of health and human service professionals regarding LGBT people, and the empowerment of health care consumers who are LGBT. We are particularly sensitive to the needs of the underserved members within the LGBT community and those with less access to quality health care. This includes people of color, those who are poor, those living in rural areas, families and youth, and those who are elderly or living with chronic or terminal health conditions.