It is essential for healthcare to be fair and accessible to all individuals, yet LGBTQ+ individuals often face significant health disparities. These disparities arise from various factors, including societal stigma, discrimination, and a lack of culturally competent care.

As Nurses, we hold a unique position to recognize and address these health inequities, guaranteeing LGBTQ+ patients receive high-quality care they rightfully deserve. In this discussion, we delve into the specific health challenges encountered by LGBTQ+ communities and explore strategies for Nurses to alleviate these disparities.

Understanding Health Disparities in LGBTQ+ Populations

Mental Health: LGBTQ+ individuals are at a higher risk for mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation. Factors contributing to these issues include societal stigma, discrimination, and lack of social support.

Substance Use: Higher rates of substance use and abuse are observed among LGBTQ+ populations. An estimated 20 to 30% of the LGBTQ+ community abuses substances, compared to about 9% of the general population. This is often a coping mechanism for dealing with discrimination, trauma, and social rejection.

Sexual and Reproductive Health: LGBTQ+ individuals may face challenges in accessing appropriate sexual and reproductive health services. This includes higher rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV, particularly among gay and bisexual men and transgender women.

Chronic Diseases: There is a higher prevalence of certain chronic diseases in LGBTQ+ populations, such as cardiovascular disease, obesity, and certain cancers. These are often linked to stress, smoking, and other lifestyle factors influenced by minority stress.

Access to Healthcare: LGBTQ+ individuals often experience barriers to healthcare access, including lack of insurance, discrimination by healthcare providers, and fear of disclosing their sexual orientation or gender identity.

Strategies for Nurses to Address and Reduce Health Disparities

Provide Culturally Competent Care

Education and Training: Participate in ongoing education and training focused on LGBTQ+ health disparities and cultural competence. This involves gaining insight into the specific healthcare requirements of LGBTQ+ individuals and honing effective and respectful communication skills.

Inclusive Environment: Establish a warm and inviting atmosphere within your healthcare facility. Showcase symbols of inclusivity, incorporate inclusive language in documentation, and guarantee all team members are well-versed in LGBTQ+ cultural competence.

Enhance Mental Health Support

Screening and Referral: Conduct regular screenings for mental health concerns such as depression, anxiety, and thoughts of self-harm. Connect LGBTQ+ individuals to mental health providers and support services that affirm their identities and experiences.

Peer Support: Foster peer support groups within your healthcare facility or local community. These groups offer a safe and understanding environment for LGBTQ+ individuals to exchange experiences and effective coping mechanisms.

Address Substance Use

Non-Judgmental Approach: Approach discussions surrounding substance use with empathy and understanding. Take into account the underlying factors contributing to substance use and offer compassionate support and access to appropriate treatment resources.

Tailored Interventions: Create and execute substance use interventions that cater to the unique requirements of LGBTQ+ individuals. This entails offering culturally sensitive counseling and support programs tailored to their specific needs.

Improve Sexual and Reproductive Health Services

Comprehensive Care: Provide comprehensive and accessible sexual and reproductive health services to meet the needs of LGBTQ+ individuals. This encompasses offering STI screening, HIV prevention and treatment, as well as inclusive family planning services.

Education and Outreach: Offer education on safe sex practices and sexual health catered to the unique needs of LGBTQ+ patients. Engage in outreach efforts to link individuals with pertinent services and resources, promoting a holistic approach to sexual and reproductive health care.

Promote Chronic Disease Prevention and Management

Regular Screening: Conduct regular screenings for chronic illnesses among LGBTQ+ individuals, focusing on conditions that are commonly seen within this community.

Lifestyle Support: Provide assistance for promoting healthy lifestyle choices, including programs to quit smoking, guidance on nutrition, and techniques for managing stress.

Advocate for Policy Changes

Inclusive Policies: Advocate for the establishment of inclusive policies in healthcare environments, ensuring these policies explicitly encompass and protect individuals based on their sexual orientation and gender identity.

Access to Care: Push for enhanced healthcare access for LGBTQ+ individuals by advocating for inclusive insurance coverage, expanding healthcare services, and dismantling barriers to care. 

Addressing health disparities in LGBTQ+ populations requires a multifaceted approach that includes education, compassionate care, and advocacy. By understanding the unique challenges faced by LGBTQ+ individuals and implementing targeted strategies, Nurses can play a crucial role in reducing these disparities and improving health outcomes. Our commitment to equity and inclusivity in healthcare can make a profound difference in the lives of LGBTQ+ patients, fostering a system where everyone receives the care and respect they deserve.

As Nurses, we have the responsibility and the opportunity to lead the way in creating a more equitable healthcare system. By embracing these strategies, we can ensure our care is inclusive, compassionate, and effective for all patients, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.

Social determinants of health (SDOH) are the conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work, and age, and the broader array of influences and structures impacting everyday living. These determinants are the key drivers of health disparities, leading to unjust and preventable health outcomes.

SDOH include factors such as:

Economic Stability 

This includes factors like employment, income, debt, and socioeconomic status. People with lower income levels often face greater challenges accessing healthcare and maintaining healthy lifestyles. The ability to secure stable employment, earn a livable wage, manage financial obligations, and attain a certain socioeconomic status directly impacts one's access to healthcare services, ability to afford healthy lifestyle choices, and overall quality of life.

Individuals facing financial hardships may struggle to prioritize their health due to limited resources, leading to disparities in healthcare access and health outcomes. It is essential to address economic inequalities and provide support systems to ensure all individuals have equal opportunities to lead healthy and fulfilling lives.

Education 

Individuals with a higher education level tend to exhibit better health behaviors, such as regular exercise, balanced nutrition, and avoidance of harmful substances like tobacco and excessive alcohol consumption. This is because education not only provides individuals with the knowledge and understanding of healthy lifestyle choices but also empowers them to make informed decisions about their health.

Higher levels of education are closely linked to greater access to healthcare services. Educated individuals are more likely to have health insurance coverage, seek preventive care, and adhere to medical treatments, leading to better overall health outcomes. Education can also enhance health literacy, enabling individuals to better understand health information, navigate the healthcare system, and communicate effectively with healthcare providers.

Social Connectedness 

Social support networks play a crucial role in individuals' overall health and well-being. Having strong social connections and a supportive community can act as a buffer against stress, loneliness, and mental health issues. When people feel connected and supported by those around them, they are more likely to engage in healthy behaviors, seek out healthcare when needed, and have a sense of belonging and purpose.

On the other hand, discrimination and social isolation can have detrimental effects on both mental and physical health. Experiencing discrimination based on factors like race, gender, or socioeconomic status can lead to chronic stress, anxiety, and depression, all of which can impact one's overall health. Similarly, feeling socially isolated or disconnected from others can increase the risk of developing mental health disorders and exacerbate existing health conditions.

In contrast, communities that foster social cohesion and inclusivity create environments where individuals feel valued, supported, and encouraged to prioritize their health and well-being. By promoting social support networks, community engagement, and addressing issues of discrimination and social isolation, we can create healthier and more resilient communities where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

Neighborhood and Physical Environment

The physical environment in which people live, work, and play can significantly impact health. Factors such as access to safe housing, clean air and water, transportation options, and green spaces all influence health outcomes.

Access to safe and secure housing is fundamental to maintaining a healthy lifestyle, as it provides a foundation for stability and a sense of security. Clean air and water are essential elements directly impacting respiratory health and overall physical well-being. Inadequate access to clean air and water can lead to respiratory illnesses and other health complications.

Transportation and infrastructure also play a significant role in health outcomes. Easy access to public transportation, walkable neighborhoods, and bike-friendly paths can promote active lifestyles and reduce reliance on cars, thereby contributing to improved physical health. The availability of green spaces and parks in communities provides opportunities for outdoor recreational activities, which are vital for mental well-being and stress reduction.

Access to Healthcare

Healthcare access includes factors such as health insurance coverage, proximity to healthcare facilities, availability of primary care providers, and affordability of healthcare services. Limited access to healthcare can lead to delayed or inadequate treatment, exacerbating health disparities.

Health Behaviors

Individual behaviors such as diet, exercise, smoking, alcohol and drug use, and sexual activity all play a critical role in determining an individual's overall health and well-being. These behaviors are not only influenced by personal choices but also by a complex interplay of social, economic, and environmental factors.

By addressing the social determinants of health that shape these behaviors, such as promoting affordable and nutritious food options, creating safe and accessible environments for physical activity, and implementing education and prevention programs, we can empower individuals to make healthier choices and ultimately improve population health outcomes.

Addressing social determinants of health requires comprehensive, multi-sectoral approaches that go beyond traditional healthcare interventions. This involves collaboration between various sectors such as education, housing, transportation, and social services to create a holistic approach to improving health outcomes.

By working together to address the underlying factors that contribute to health disparities, we can create a more equitable and inclusive society where everyone has the opportunity to lead a healthy and fulfilling life. This approach not only benefits individuals but also strengthens communities and promotes overall well-being for all. 

Healthcare providers recognize the crucial role nutritious diets play in promoting and maintaining good health. People with healthy eating patterns live longer and are at lower risk for serious health problems such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and obesity. For people with chronic diseases, healthy eating can help manage these conditions and prevent complications.

However, over 30 million people in the U.S. live in food-insecure households – including as many as 9 million children.

Studies have shown that nearly 46% of adults and 56% of children in the U.S. have an overall poor-quality diet and unhealthy diets account for more than $50 billion in U.S. healthcare costs.

The leading grocery technology company in North America, Instacart, wants to help end hunger and reduce diet-related diseases in the U.S. 

The company announced their release of the Instacart Health’s provider products, designed to enhance collaborative care, promote healthy choices and deliver nutritious foods to patients across the country. Through Instacart Health, they’re giving providers the tools required to build virtual food pharmacies and deliver actionable nutrition advice to their patients through their platform.

"We know that access to nutritious foods can deliver healthier outcomes, but a number of challenges have prevented healthcare providers from effectively adopting food as medicine programs at scale. With Instacart Health, we have the unique opportunity to partner with providers to expand proven nutrition programs and more deeply integrate food as medicine into standard patient care," said Sarah Mastrorocco, Vice President and General Manager of Instacart Health. "We're proud to offer these products to help providers expand access to nutritious food and make medically-tailored groceries and meal advice more actionable. Together, we can help patients and their families take an active role in their health through food."

Boston Children's Hospital is among the first health systems to leverage Instacart Health provider products for its patients, establishing new food as medicine programs to help them get the nourishment they need to manage and maintain their health.

"At Boston Children's Hospital, we're committed to pushing the boundaries of what's possible in pediatric health and addressing our patient health needs holistically," said Dr. John Brownstein, Chief Innovation Officer at Boston Children's Hospital. "Together with Instacart Health, we are excited to explore this technology further to help our providers deliver programs serving patients and families with specific dietary needs. Food and nutrition programs are essential to disease treatment and prevention."

Today, Instacart is available to 95% of U.S. households, including 93% of people living in food deserts. And SNAP participants can use their benefits to shop online from more than 10,000 stores across 49 states and Washington D.C. on the Instacart platform. 

"Food desert" is a common phrase used to describe a neighborhood or section of a city where it's hard for people to access healthy food, many of which are low-income communities and communities of color. "Access" is a multi-layered word here — a neighborhood may technically have a grocery store, but it may not be accessible by public transportation.

Instacart partners with more than 1,100 national, regional and local retailers to offer online shopping, delivery and pickup from more than 80,000 stores across North America.

To learn more about Instacart Health visit www.instacart.com/company/health.

Last year, Chief Diversity Officer (CDO) hires grew by 84%, making it the fastest growing C-suite title, according to LinkedIn.

There has been a national wave of concern about racial inequities, especially in healthcare, with the arrival of the COVID pandemic.

Many healthcare organizations are increasing their Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) efforts. Leaders are addressing racial health disparities and finding ways to improve patient care for all. Part of their efforts include establishing a Chief Diversity Officer role.

Winifred King is Cook Children’s first ever Chief Diversity Officer. King said, “It is hard to put into words what this decision and investment means to people of color and anyone who has ever felt different or excluded. For all of us who may have experienced inequities and mistreatment in our lifetimes, it is comforting to be a part of an organization that accepts our differences, our failures, and is willing to look inward and truly examine what is at the heart of our culture.”

“COVID-19 is amplifying health disparities in communities of color,” said Quita Highsmith, the Chief Diversity Officer of biotech company, Genentech. “It is now time for us to stop tiptoeing around it and start thinking about what we are going to do.”

CDOs are responsible for addressing these healthcare disparities. They are developing strategies to promote diversity, inclusivity, and equitable cultures throughout their organization.

Education and awareness are playing a key role in improving health outcomes for diverse communities. The CDO coordinates efforts internally to provide staff with resources and courses, such as cultural competence training as well as finding ways externally to work with the community they serve.

In addition, the CDO helps to create recruitment programs that ensures their DEI message is reaching diverse candidates. As a member of the C-suite, the CDO can communicate to all leaders that diversity recruitment, for all position levels, should be a priority.

Studies suggest diversity in healthcare leadership enhances quality of care, quality of life in the workplace, community relations, and the ability to affect community health status.

The CDO helps to define, educate, and communicate the hospital/health system’s culture and DEI message to its staff, patient population and community.

Joseph Hill, was the first Chief Diversity Officer at Jefferson Health. He requested they establish focus groups with patients to better understand their expectations and view of the system. With the information provided by the focus groups, they found the areas that needed improvements.

HCA Healthcare created the BRAVE Conversations program, an ‘outside the box’ platform designed to facilitate interactive, inclusive, innovative and safe ways for employees to share their thoughts on issues that may be difficult to discuss.

It is imperative that leadership is committed to their DEI mission. Without it, the CDO cannot wave a magic wand and transform an entire organization overnight. It takes commitment, communication both internally and externally, resources, time, and effort from all areas of the health system.

November is Diabetes Awareness Month. This is the perfect time to discuss diabetes health disparities. Racial and ethnic minorities have higher prevalence rates, worse diabetes control, and a higher rate of complications, according to an article from the U.S. National Institutes of Health's National Library of Medicine.

According to the American Diabetes Association (ADA), compared to white adults, the risk of having a diabetes diagnosis is

·         77% higher among African Americans

·         66% higher among Latinos/Hispanics

·         18% higher among Asian Americans

The article from the ADA also notes, even though there is a high rate of this condition, minorities receive lower care quality and experience more barriers to self-management than white patients. They are less likely to receive advised services such as annual hemoglobin A_1c (HbA_1c) testing, annual LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) testing, and an annual retinal examination. 

Minorities are more likely than white people to live in areas of low socioeconomic status. These neighborhoods lack shared ideas about health promotion, access to healthcare services, healthy foods, and safe places to exercise. These are all needed to improve an individual’s management of their diabetes.

The Office of Minority Health (OMH) at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said they are teaming up with the American Diabetes Association and other groups to help people prevent and treat diabetes, and to specifically address the disparities in minority groups.

An article from the Food and Drug Administration said, "OMH's outreach work includes raising awareness of the need for more research in diabetes therapies that address racial and ethnic differences. OMH is also working to make sure minorities are included as subjects in clinical trials of medical products for the treatment of diabetes and other diseases."

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) started the National Diabetes Prevention Program (National DPP) which is a partnership of public and private organizations who work together to provide an affordable, evidence-based lifestyle change program to help people with prediabetes prevent or delay type 2 diabetes.

However, according to the CDC some racial and ethnic minority groups were enrolling in the program at lower rates than other groups. To help increase access, the CDC recently funded 10 national organizations to start new in-person programs in underserved areas (regions with fewer resources to address health disparities). In addition to in-person delivery, the program can also be accessed online, by distance learning, or through a combination of these formats.

Women of color in the United States suffer unacceptably poor maternal health outcomes, including high rates of death related to pregnancy or childbirth.

The Pregnancy Mortality Surveillance System started in 1987 and since then, the number of reported pregnancy-related deaths in the United States increased from 7.2 deaths per 100,000 live births to 17.2 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2015.

Considerable racial/ethnic disparities in pregnancy-related mortality exist. During 2011–2015, the pregnancy-related mortality ratios were—

• 42.8 deaths per 100,000 live births for black non-Hispanic women.
• 32.5 deaths per 100,000 live births for American Indian/Alaskan Native non-Hispanic women.
• 14.2 deaths per 100,000 live births for Asian/Pacific Islander non-Hispanic women.
• 13.0 deaths per 100,000 live births for white non-Hispanic women.
• 11.4 deaths per 100,000 live births for Hispanic women.

Variability in the risk of death by race/ethnicity indicates that more can be done to understand and reduce pregnancy-related deaths.

According to a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, African American mothers die at a rate that's 3.3 times greater than whites, and Native American or Alaskan Native women die at a rate 2.5 times greater than whites.

Pregnancy-related mortality rates are also high among certain subgroups of Hispanic women. A Science Direct article says, pregnancy-induced hypertension was the leading cause of pregnancy-related death for Hispanic women.

The CDC report also shows roughly 3 in 5 pregnancy-related deaths are preventable. But, the health care system fails to listen to diverse population's health concerns and so the maternal mortality rate keeps rising.

According to the Healthy People Final Review, Approximately 25% of all U.S. women do not receive the recommended number of prenatal visits.  This number rises to 32% among African Americans and to 41% among American Indian or Alaska Native women.

An article from the Center for American Progress believes there is little research on what social factors contribute to poor delivery and birth outcomes for American Indian and Alaska Native women because of the small population size and racial misclassifications. But they do know these women face many barriers when it comes to getting healthcare.

The National Partnership for Women & Families explains African American women experience more maternal health complications. 

• African American women are three times more likely to have fibroids than white women. Fibroids are benign tumors that grow in the uterus and can cause postpartum hemorrhaging. Also the fibroids occur at younger ages and grow more quickly for African American women.
• African American women display signs of preeclampsia earlier in pregnancy than white women. Preeclampsia involves high blood pressure during pregnancy and can lead to severe complications including death if not properly treated.
• African American women experience physical “weathering,” meaning their bodies age faster than white women’s due to exposure to chronic stress linked to socioeconomic disadvantage and discrimination over the life course, this makes pregnancy riskier at an earlier age.

The CDC report also shows that more than a third of pregnancy-related deaths were due to cardiovascular conditions. Cardiovascular disease is more common among black women and can occur at earlier ages than in white women.

It is very clear that health disparities have a lot to do with racism. Until it is addressed and programs are put in place to combat racism in healthcare, mortality rates will continue to rise.

The policy released by AAP defines Racism as a “system of structuring opportunity and assigning value based on the social interpretation of how one looks (which is what we call ‘race’) that unfairly disadvantages some individuals and communities, unfairly advantages other individuals and communities, and saps the strength of the whole society through the waste of human resources.”

Dr. Maria Trent, a professor of pediatrics at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, who was one of the co-authors of the statement, called racism a "socially transmitted disease. It is taught and it is passed down, but the impacts on children and families are significant from a health perspective."

According to the statement, The impact of racism has been linked to birth disparities and mental health problems in children and adolescents.^6,24–30 The biological mechanism that emerges from chronic stress leads to increased and prolonged levels of exposure to stress hormones and oxidative stress at the cellular level. Prolonged exposure to stress hormones, such as cortisol, leads to inflammatory reactions that predispose individuals to chronic disease.³¹ As an example, racial disparities in the infant mortality rate remain,³² and the complications of low birth weight have been associated with perceived racial discrimination and maternal stress.^25,33,34

The statement directs pediatricians to consider their own practices from this perspective. “It’s not just the academy telling other people what to do, but examining ourselves,” Dr. Trent said.

It is imperative that pediatric clinical settings make everyone feel they are welcome. You can display images of diverse families on your walls and post signs in multiple languages. The toys, books, and videos in the waiting room should be multicultural as well.

 

Care should be provided in different languages. Does your staff represent the diverse patient populations they are treating? Everyone from the reception desk to the clinical staff seeing patients in the exam rooms should be trained in culturally competent care. Ask yourself, have you created a safe and welcoming space for all patients?

 

Clinical staff must examine and acknowledge their own biases as well as embrace and advocate for innovative policies throughout their communities.

 

To read the full statement policy by AAP, click here.

Research has documented a number of racial disparities in health care, including higher death rates among African-Americans than whites. New government data shows some significant improvements.

The study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found African Americans are living longer. The death rate for African Americans has declined about 25% over 17 years, primarily for those aged 65 years and older.

However, younger African Americans are living with or dying of many conditions typically found in white Americans at older ages.The difference shows up in African Americans in their 20s, 30s, and 40s for diseases and causes of death.

Chronic diseases and some of their risk factors may be silent or not diagnosed during these early years. Health differences are often due to economic and social conditions that are more common among African Americans than whites. For example, African American adults are more likely to report they cannot see a doctor because of cost. All Americans should have equal opportunities to pursue a healthy lifestyle.

According to the 2016 National Healthcare Quality and Disparities Report, some disparities were getting smaller from 2000 through 2014-2015, but disparities persist, especially for poor and uninsured populations in all priority areas:

• While 20% of measures show disparities getting smaller for Blacks and Hispanics, most disparities have not changed significantly for any racial and ethnic groups.
• More than half of measures show that poor and low-income households have worse care than high-income households; for middle-income households, more than 40% of measures show worse care than high-income households.
• Nearly two-thirds of measures show that uninsured people had worse care than privately insured people.

It is important to create opportunities for all Americans to pursue a healthy lifestyle. What can be done?

The Federal government is

• Collecting data to monitor and track health and conditions that may affect health, such as poverty and high school graduation rates, through Healthy People 2020. http://bit.ly/2oDhWV4
• Supporting partnerships between scientific researchers and community members to address diseases and conditions that affect some populations more than others.
• Addressing heart disease, stroke, and other cardiovascular diseases, which disproportionately affect African Americans, by implementing national initiatives such as Million Hearts®. http://bit.ly/2p0Ux0N
• Supporting actions to create healthy food environments and increase physical activity in underserved communities.

Public health professionals can

• Use proven programs to reduce disparities and barriers to create opportunities for health.
• Work with other sectors, such as faith and community organizations, education, business, transportation, and housing, to create social and economic conditions that promote health starting in childhood.
• Link more people to doctors, nurses, or community health centers to encourage regular and follow-up medical visits.
• Develop and provide trainings for healthcare professionals to understand cultural differences in how patients interact with providers and the healthcare system.

Community organizations can

• Train community health workers in underserved communities to educate and link people to free or low-cost services.
• Conduct effective health promotion programs in community, work, school, and home settings.
• Work across sectors to connect people with services that impact health, such as transportation and housing.
• Help people go see their doctor, take all medications as prescribed, and get to follow-up appointments.

Healthcare providers can

• Work with communities and healthcare professional organizations to eliminate cultural barriers to care.
• Connect patients with community resources that can help people remember to take their medicine as prescribed, get prescription refills on time, and get to follow-up visits.
• Learn about social and economic conditions that may put some patients at higher risk than others for having a health problem.
• Collaborate with primary care physicians to create a comprehensive and coordinated approach to patient care.
• Promote a trusting relationship by encouraging patients to ask questions.
  
  

First article written by Frontier Nursing University
Second article Written by Marissa Silver

Frontier Nursing University believes in increasing awareness of the importance of cultural competency and decreasing health disparities. This article is about their 7th annual Diversity Impact Event. FNU states “Diversity Impact is designed to open the door for nurses to foster and strengthen collaborative discussions to address health disparities to improve minority health among underrepresented and marginalized groups.” Enjoy this informative article.

In a rapidly-changing, sometimes divided world, Frontier Nursing University (FNU) emphasizes the value of respecting and honoring diversity.

In the United States, there is a wide gap in health outcomes. Several populations face greater obstacles in obtaining good health based on their racial or ethnic group, religion, socioeconomic status, gender, age, mental health, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, or geographic location. These disparities may exist because of social and economic inequality, inadequate health care providers or systems, and bias on the part of health care providers or patients.

The gap forming in the health of women before and during pregnancies is also a source of concern. Determinants of a mother’s health may include social factors, ethnic or racial group, or her previous health status. An infant child is also impacted by factors such as nutrition, family income, and the geographic location of their homes and neighborhoods.

Additionally, consider this: women living in rural areas have less access to health care than women living in urban areas. Where 22.8% of women live in what is defined as a “rural” area in the U.S.¹, there is a significant disparity between the health care they receive and the health care received by the “urban” population of women.

Although health care needs around the nation are diverse, health care providers do not reflect the population. In 2008, only 16.8% of Registered Nurses residing in the United States represented diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds². Additionally, underrepresented groups make up less than 10% of nursing school faculty³. The nursing profession faces the challenge of recruiting and retaining a culturally diverse workforce that mirrors the nation's demographics.

With these challenges in mind, it is important that our education system equips nurse practitioners, nurse-midwives and other healthcare professionals with the resources they need to eliminate these disparities, and ultimately achieve health equity.FNU would like to see the Frontier community impact health equity and move forward by uniting through diversity.

On June 1- 4, 2017, Frontier Nursing University held the 7th annual Diversity Impact Student Conference. Diversity Impact is designed to open the door for nurses to foster and strengthen collaborative discussions to address health disparities to improve minority health among underrepresented and marginalized groups. Students will engage in cross-cultural and intercultural workshop activities, along with leadership strategies on current diversity healthcare trends as it relates to patient-provider care.

This year’s Diversity Impact theme is Moving Forward: Uniting Through Diversity. Students will attend sessions hosted by nationally recognized nursing leaders; participate in teambuilding activities, cultural competency awareness training, and open dialogues; network with available FNU students, community leaders, faculty and staff; and learn more about the world with FNU’s International Food Menu.

Frontier Nursing University conference discusses healthcare diversity

Factors such as someone's age, race, gender and ethnicity can all play a role in their healthcare.

This weekend, Frontier Nursing University students attended a conference, to learn how those factors and other differences between populations may impact a patient's health and treatment. One factor, which may impact patients in Eastern Kentucky is living in rural communities.

"It's like a totally different population than what you see in urban areas," Vaishu Jawahar who attended the conference said. "Even though we think that sometimes urban populations have it bad, the sheer lack of resources that's out here makes being in a rural area that much harder."

Another topic discussed during the conference was caring for those in the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community.

"As healthcare providers, no matter what your political views are you have to be able to take care of everyone or at least make them feel comfortable enough to seek out your care," said Jawahar.

As part of the discussion on serving the LGBT community, two Frontier Nursing University students talked about their experience treating patients during last year's mass shooting, at Pulse, a Gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida.

Overall, those who attended the conference said taking the time to get to know the patient and their background can make a difference.

"It's so easy for us to get caught up in our way of life, we forget there's very different realities for everyone," Wilvena Bernard, Diversity Pride Program Coordinator, Frontier Nursing University said.

More than 50 students and faculty attended the conference from across the country.

Last month, University officials announced they are moving student activities from the Hyden campus to Versailles by Fall of 2018.

Interested in learning more about Frontier Nursing University? Check out their Employer Profile! Just Click Here.