Gathering Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Data in Health IT
Better Information Can Help Close Disparities Gap
A crucial aspect of addressing gay and transgender health disparities is collecting confidential sexual orientation and gender identity data from patients, particularly via health information technology systems such as electronic health records.
By Kellan Baker | February 9, 2012
http://www.americanprogress.org/issues/2012/02/lgbt_health_it.htmlA growing body of knowledge, including the federal government's Healthy People 2020 plan for progress toward a healthier America over the next decade and two reports from the Institute of Medicine, demonstrates that the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender population faces significant disparities in health status and access to health care coverage and services. The Department of Health and Human Services is working to address these disparities through initiatives that include establishing a nationally representative baseline for gay and transgender population health by improving survey research on the gay and transgender population.
According to the Institute of Medicine, another crucial aspect of addressing gay and transgender health disparities is collecting confidential sexual orientation and gender identity data from patients, particularly via health information technology systems such as electronic health records. Sexual orientation and gender identity metrics must be included in health information technology meaningful use standards (which define the use of electronic health records and related technology within a health care organization) and other health information technology initiatives. This will facilitate the collection of data that are crucial to closing disparities and helping providers improve the health of their gay and transgender patients by delivering high-quality, patient-centered, culturally competent care.
