Gender-Affirming Care in the Midwest: Reaching Rural Populations

• Published in: Journal of rural mental health Vol. 45; no. 2; pp. 121 - 128
• Main Authors: Poquiz, Jonathan, Moser, Christine N., Grimstad, Frances, Boman, Kathryn, Sonneville, Seth A., Turpin, Angela, Egan, Anna M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Educational Publishing Foundation 01-04-2021; National Association for Rural Mental Health
• Subjects: Community Health; Female; Gender Diversity; Gender Dysphoria; Gender Nonconforming; Health Disparities; Health Outcomes; Human; Male; Rural Environments; Rural Health; gender dysphoria; gender-affirming care; rural health; transgender; gender diversity
• ISSN: 1935-942X; 2163-8969
• DOI: 10.1037/rmh0000174

We describe health disparities and barriers to gender-affirming care that disproportionately affect transgender and gender diverse (TGD) youth residing in rural areas and describe a service model focused on reducing barriers and improving access to care that can be built upon. Interdisciplinary health teams located in urban areas can implement solutions at multiple system levels from health service delivery to community and individual patient considerations. We describe steps we have taken to improve access to gender-affirming health care, to increase community support, and provide resources and recommendations on how rural providers can collaborate to improve health outcomes for rural TGD youth. Access to gender-affirming care and supports improves health outcomes for TGD youth. Collaboration between urban and rural providers can assist in identifying methods to provide gender-affirming care to support the health and well-being of rural TGD youth.
Public Health Significance Statement
Transgender and gender diverse (TGD) youth living in rural areas may have poorer overall health and difficulty accessing appropriate health care. We describe efforts of a gender specialty clinic housed in an urban pediatric hospital to address the needs of rural TGD youth. We aim to lay the foundation for collaboration between urban and rural providers and call for research in providing gender-affirming health care for rural TGD youth.