Take 'pride' in diversity

The Public Health Agency (PHA) will be celebrating diversity and providing information on health issues that impact on the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGB&T) people and their families at this year’s Belfast Pride Festival.

Mary Black, Assistant Director for Health and Social Wellbeing Improvement at PHA, said: “Belfast Pride Festival offers us a fantastic opportunity to celebrate diversity and help raise awareness of the particular health issues faced by the LGB&T community.

“For example, the LGB&T community has higher incidences of smoking and substance misuse, which are likely to have a substantial negative impact on physical and mental health.

“By making sure that we all focus on reducing health inequalities, we can make a real difference to people’s lives.”  

Key issues

In 2012, a Northern Ireland survey of LGB&T people found that 44% of respondents smoked. This is higher than for the wider population, with 24% of people here smoking [see reference 1].

The same research revealed that 91% of LGB&T people surveyed reported that they drink alcohol. This compares with 79% of the general population [see reference 2]. Fifty-seven percent of LGB&T people who responded drink at hazardous levels.

A 2013 study found that nearly two thirds (64.7%) of LGB&T respondents had personal, emotional, behavioural or mental health problems for which they needed professional help. However, only 39% had asked for professional help [see reference 3]. Among the overall population, 17% of the population reported having a mental health issue.

Making a difference

The PHA is the first Health and Social Care organisation in Northern Ireland to become involved in the Diversity Champion Northern Ireland programme which is being offered by the Rainbow Project.

Mary Black continued: “By providing leadership and increasing visibility of sexual orientation and gender identity both internally and in the services we commission, we hope to not only benefit staff working within our services that identify as LGB&T but also the wider public who access our services.”

The PHA will be participating in the Belfast Pride Community Stalls in Buoy Park (beside the Art College) on Saturday 2 August, where its stand will be open from 11am to 4pm where information on health and wellbeing issues that affect LGB&T people in Northern Ireland will also be provided.

Mary Black concluded: “Health inequalities are a serious challenge to our community and we need to work together if we are to change this position. We are delighted  that our staff will be at the PHA stand and that some Health and Social Care staff and members of the LGB&T Health and Social Care Staff Forum will also be participating in the parade.

“We know that LGB&T people can experience considerable sexual, physical and mental health inequalities, and that homophobia and heterosexism are the main barriers LGB&T people face when accessing services, so it is important that we work closely with the community to address issues around health and wellbeing.”

ENDS