Study published: Barriers to health services for LGBTQ+ migrants
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A recent study by U-CARE’s associated researchers Maria Gottvall, Tommy Carlson, and others, explores experiences of access and utilisation of health services among migrants identifying as LGBTQ+. The study synthesised findings from 21 qualitative reports, involving 486 participants from 72 countries.
Complex barriers to accessing health services
To the left: Maria Gottvall, Associate Professor at the Red Cross University College and associate researcher to U-CARE. To the right: Tommy Carlsson, Associate Professor at the Red Cross University College and associate researcher to U-CARE.
The study found that migrants identifying as LGBTQ+ expressed appreciation for health services when they felt respected and safe. However, migrants also encountered a range of external and internal barriers to accessing healthcare. These include financial constraints, fears, uncertainties about confidentiality, and experiences of non-affirming behaviours and discrimination due to their intersecting identities.
Key components contributing to positive experiences included the manner and personality of health professionals, open and validating communication, and adherence to confidentiality.
‘Ensuring accessible and inclusive healthcare is essential’
– Ensuring accessible and inclusive healthcare for sexual and gender minority migrants is essential, but this requires a deep understanding of the complex challenges encountered by this population. Our study shows that barriers to healthcare exist in many different countries. Unfortunately, we also identified a risk of encountering non-affirming behaviours and discrimination when interacting with health professionals. Research is needed to better understand how barriers can be reduced and how to ensure that these migrants are adequately supported when seeking healthcare, says Tommy Carlsson, Associate Professor and Project Leader.
Miro Anter
Link to the article
Read the full article ‘Sexual and Gender Minority Migrants' Experiences of Health Service Access and Utilisation: A Qualitative Meta-Synthesis’. It is written by Maria Gottvall, Osszián Péter-Szabó, Rummage Isaac, Christoffer Aav, Erik Norgren, and Tommy Carlsson.