Informing the NHS England LGBT+ Health Evidence Review to address inequalities in healthcare access and experience
Researchers from the NIHR HPRU for Blood Borne and Sexually Transmitted Infections contributed four studies to the NHS England LGBT+ Health Evidence Review, highlighting barriers to care and unmet needs. The evidence supports more inclusive NHS policy and service design, improving access, equity and health outcomes for LGBT+ communities.
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Summary:
LGBT+ communities experience significant health inequalities, including barriers to accessing healthcare and unmet sexual health needs. To ensure these experiences were reflected in national policy, researchers from the NIHR Health Protection Research Unit for Blood Borne and Sexually Transmitted Infections contributed evidence to the NHS England LGBT+ Health Evidence Review.
The HPRU submitted four studies covering trans and gender-diverse people’s experiences of sexual health services, young LGBT+ people’s views on healthcare, sexual orientation monitoring in general practice, and unmet sexual health needs among men who have sex with men and gender-diverse populations. Together, these studies highlighted structural, interpersonal and service-level barriers that affect access to care.
As a result, community-informed research was incorporated into a national evidence review, ensuring that the experiences and needs of underserved LGBT+ populations are represented in future policy discussions. This strengthens the evidence base for improving healthcare access, quality and equity.
The anticipated impact is improved NHS policy and service design, leading to more inclusive and responsive healthcare pathways for LGBT+ people. By informing national decision-making, this work has the potential to reduce health inequalities, improve access to sexual health and primary care services, and support better health outcomes for LGBT+ communities across the UK.