The LGTB + community is particularly vulnerable to the negative effects of COVID-19

GAYLES.TV.- More than 100 organizations LGTB + They have signed an open letter to the media and to US health officials explaining why certain people in the group could be particularly vulnerable to contracting the coronavirus. The current mortality rate of the COVID-19 is 15% for older people, which means the virus is having a devastating impact on this population, including the elderly LGTB +.

The letter was initiated by a coalition of six organizations: the National LGBT Cancer Network; GLMA Health Professionals Advancing LGBTQ Equality; Whitman-Walker Health; WISE; New York Transgender Advocacy Group; and the Asian Queer National Alliance of the Pacific Islands. Now there are more than 100 groups that defend the rights of the community LGTB + (among them GLAAD) who have joined the initiative.

According to the document, this greater vulnerability to the virus is mainly due to three factors:

TOBACCO

"The population LGTB + use tobacco at rates that are 50% higher than the general population. the COVID-19 It is a respiratory disease that has been shown to be particularly harmful to smokers.

HIV

The population LGTB + has higher rates of HIV and cancer, which means that more of us may have compromised immune systems, leaving us more vulnerable to infections from COVID-19. "

DISCRIMINATION

"People LGTB + continue to experience discrimination, unpleasant attitudes, and a lack of understanding from providers and staff in many healthcare settings, and as a result, many are reluctant to seek medical care except in situations that feel urgent, and perhaps not at that moment."

The letter to the US health service also provides different ways in which people involved in the COVID-19 response can ensure that communities LGTB + receive adequate service during this outbreak, including but not limited to:

Ensure media coverage takes into account the particular vulnerabilities of anyone with pre-existing respiratory disease, compromised immune systems, or using tobacco products
Ensure that health messages include information tailored to communities most at risk of COVID-19, including populations LGTB +
Provide individual resources LGTB + to find welcoming providers
Ensuring surveillance efforts capture sexual orientation and gender identity as part of routine demographics
Make sure that all responses from COVID-19 consider exceptionally vulnerable members of communities LGTB +, including the elderly, non-compliant / non-binary black and brown bi and trans people and gender and trans people

More information here.