The medical and mental health care of the adult in-custody lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex (LGBTI) population is a complicated topic requiring an understanding of a broad set of issues.
Groups such as lesbian and bisexual women, generally receive less routine care than other women, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Men who engage in sex with other men account for a higher proportion of HIV/AIDS cases than any other demographic group in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The use of hormone therapies and other treatments for gender identity disorder [gender dysphoria] are now being mandated by the courts in many jurisdictions.
Intersex persons may have experienced confusing and substandard medical care and many care providers are not well educated on their medical needs.
Potential risk factors in the management of the LGBTI population include: higher rates of depression and anxiety, higher rates of suicide and suicide attempts, and potential self-mutilation due to extreme distress and/or psychiatric disorders
It is important to remember that the experiences of LGBTI individuals are not uniform and are shaped by factors of race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, geographical location and age, any of which can have an effect on health-related concerns and needs, according to the Institute of Medicine, March 2011.
Links to current medical and mental health updates and information from government and other organizations are available on this page for your reference.
