The LGBTQ+ community celebrated their shared and lived experience this June during Pride Month. While the LGBTQ+ experience varies from individual to individual and from generation to generation, one constant remains – the importance of protecting health.
“We celebrate Pride because we are proud of who we are, what we have accomplished and where we are heading in advancing health equity,” says Brian Hujdich, executive director of the National Coalition for LGBTQ Health. “Part of protecting health – for ourselves and for the community – is focusing on prevention.”
Following are three important preventive health measures to take not only during Pride season, but all year long.
Prevent infectious diseases
Mpox has remained a public health threat since it first captured headlines in 2022. Infections in the United States are more than double those reported at this time last year, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) – and a surge in cases in the Democratic Republic of Congo could lead to further escalation globally.
A virus similar to smallpox, mpox can affect anyone. However, the recent outbreak predominantly affected the LGBTQ+ community, underscoring the need for prevention. According to the CDC, mpox is spread by direct skin-to-skin contact and people most at risk include gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men, as well as transgender or nonbinary people. Sixty percent of the at-risk population remains unvaccinated, and 15% have received only one dose of the vaccine, according to the CDC. To protect themselves, people at risk should ask their healthcare providers or pharmacists for more information and to determine if they should get the vaccine, which is available at physician offices, pharmacies and local health clinics.
Preventing HIV infection and sexually transmitted infections may be another important issue to discuss with your doctor. Prophylactic medications like PrEP can help prevent HIV infection, while doxycycline can help stop the onset of STDs.
Engage with your healthcare provider
Having a provider who is LGBTQ+ culturally competent is just as important as preventive health measures. In fact, studies show that those who aren’t comfortable having open and honest conversations with their provider suffer worse health outcomes than others. You can research a provider’s background and interest in LGBTQ+ health care, and schedule an introductory appointment to meet them and gauge your comfort level.
Protect the community
Having pride in the community means taking steps to protect everyone’s health. Mpox serves as a case in point. If enough people are vaccinated, viruses may have limited opportunities to infect new people, ultimately often posing less threat to the community overall. Conversely, if a virus is left unchecked, it can mutate; it may also grow in strength or in transmissibility and put more people at risk.
It’s important to remember the power of community and conversation. Discuss these health topics with your friends, ask each other questions, and raise awareness. As you continue to celebrate Pride all year long, focus on protecting your health using the tools available to you.
For more information about protecting your health, visit the National Coalition for LGBTQ Health: https://healthlgbtq.org/mpox/
“The LGBTQ+ community has a legacy of quickly and collectively adapting to health concerns,” says Hujdich. “Being proactive in protecting your well-being allows you the freedom to fully enjoy yourself during Pride, throughout the summer, and all year long.”
This article is sponsored by Bavarian Nordic.
