Barriers to gender transition-related healthcare: Identifying underserved transgender adults in Massachusetts

Jaclyn M. White Hughto*, Adam J. Rose, John E. Pachankis, Sari L. Reisner

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

89 Scopus citations

Abstract

Purpose: The present study sought to examine whether individual (e.g., age, gender), interpersonal (e.g., healthcare provider discrimination), and structural (e.g., lack of insurance coverage) factors are associated with access to transition-related care in a statewide sample of transgender adults. Method: In 2013, 364 transgender residents of Massachusetts completed an electronic web-based survey online (87.1%) or in person (12.9%). A multivariable logistic regression model tested whether individual, interpersonal, and structural factors were associated with access to transition-related care. Results: Overall, 23.6% reported being unable to access transition-related care in the past 12 months. In a multivariable model, younger age, low income, low educational attainment, private insurance coverage, and healthcare discrimination were significantly associated with being unable to access transition-related care (all p<0.05). Discussion: Despite state nondiscrimination policies and universal access to healthcare, many of the Massachusetts transgender residents sampled were unable to access transition-related care. Multilevel interventions are needed, including supportive policies and policy enforcement, to ensure that underserved transgender adults can access medically necessary transition-related care.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)107-118
Number of pages12
JournalTransgender Health
Volume2
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 2017
Externally publishedYes

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. 2017.

Keywords

  • access to care
  • gender transition
  • health policy
  • transgender health

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