Barriers to Healthcare for Transpeople: A Global View

Out of the total human population, transgender population spans up to roughly 3%. Although this number is tiny compared to the rest of the population, the medical threats to these populations are more heightened and substantial. For instance, transgender individuals are thirteen times more vulnerable to HIV than other adults of the same age, largely due to sexual violence.

Statistics show alarmingly high percentages of women among adults living with HIV in different regions of the world:

·       Eastern and Southern Africa: 28.4%

·       Western and Central Africa: 13.5%

·       Latin America: 22.2%

·       Caribbean: 23.7%

Additionally, transgender women constitute a disproportionately high percentage of new HIV cases in several regions:

·       APAC Region: 7%

·       Latin America: 6%

·       Caribbean: 5%

This suggests that transgender women in these regions are getting infected at a higher rate compared to their overall population and that a significant portion of transgender women already have HIV. It also underscores the imperative need for adequate access to healthcare for transgender people.

The currently insufficient access to healthcare for transgender people majorly stems from medical care providers lacking suitable knowledge or discrimination. In the APAC region, multiple countries are deprived of national guidelines on transgender care, leading to inequitable and unfitting health services. A study conducted in certain Asian countries observes that more than half of the transgender participants were worried about being judged when accessing care, and some even avoided getting themselves checked altogether.

Similarly, in the USA, access to hormonal therapy and other transgender medical care is limited since education on transgender treatment is scarce. As a result, very few physicians attain the required expertise in transgender healthcare. Other barriers include lack of health insurance, low incomes, socioeconomic barriers such as poor mental health, health system issues, and discrimination. In fact, a nationwide study showed that 70% of transgender respondents experienced negative interactions with healthcare providers.

A study conducted in the UK found that 62% of trans people seeking healthcare services claimed that staff lacked awareness of trans-health needs, partly due to a shortage of gender-affirming services and reluctance to be involved in trans healthcare. Moreover, 16% said that they had been outrightly declined healthcare because of their gender. In other regions of Europe, not all countries permit complete gender-affirming medical services for transgender people. For the limited services that are provided, discrimination still prevails, as 34% of surveyed transgender participants reported facing discrimination in healthcare. This inequity is more underscored among older transgender people, contributing to worsened health outcomes.

Ultimately, the challenges to attaining healthcare are similar in all countries, as they all emerge from the societal stigma surrounding transgender individuals. Addressing these challenges requires inclusive policies, medical education, and equitable access to healthcare services.