Exuality and How It Relates to Vulnerability, Essay Example

The Lesbian, Gay and bi-sexual transgender group (LGBT) have specific vulnerabilities with regard to their sexuality. This often creates significant challenges in managing their health concerns as both a patient and health care provider. Patients are often fearful of stigmatism and being offended by being of a particular sexual orientation. Although this is becoming less of a problem in the modern world it still remains an issue in the developing world. In Egypt and other Islamic countries declaration of being homosexual may in itself be punishable under laws governing morality. There is an increasing need for skilled medical practitioners who are equipped to deal with the LGBT community and the problems faced by this group. In particular the need for HIV AIDS screening. (CDCP, 2011).

The LGBT group are particularly vulnerable to a number of medical and psychological concerns that includes such items as Drug and alcohol addiction, anxiety and depression, sexual trauma and identity issues, self-harm and suicidal tendencies, compulsive behaviour etc. There are treatment centres like the Brattleboro Centre where vulnerable people can obtain help and treatment for a range of LGBT issues and problems. (Brattleboro Retreat, 2011).

There are a number of recent developments in gay men and the health risks associated with that lifestyle.  In New York there has been a sharp increase in the number of cases of syphilis; another is a form of cancer known as Kaposi’s syndrome and equally increases in cases of hepatitis.  This has increased the need for medical screening and patients having a more open and honest relationship with their Doctors.  Lesbian relationships are at increased risks of three types of cancers: breast cancer, cervical cancer and ovarian cancer. (Dube, B. 2011). Federal reporets have indicated that more research is required on the LGBT community and the need for more formal strategies to promote culturally competent care.

Works Cited

Brattleboro Retreat. (2011). Brattleboro Retreat. Retrieved 5 30, 2011, from Brattleboro Retreat: http://www.brattlebororetreat.org/about

CDCP. (2011). Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Health. Retrieved 5 31, 2011, from Centre for Disiease Control & Prevention : http://www.cdc.gov/lgbthealth/

Dube, B. (2011). The impact of secual orientation in Medicine. Retrieved 5 30, 2011, from Health concerns of the LGBT community: http://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q=cache:iHbvWEAUnV8J:www.med.upenn.edu/lgbtpm/documents/LGBTHealthLecture.doc+challenges+of+health+in+treating+LGBT+community&hl=en&gl=ca&pid=bl&srcid=ADGEESjEwa2WLBXg6VnwS–NmnOCibM0NddNNf8HFjbo2UBXz_FPTyd8hb07YupLFpDmaG