The impact of stigma on the LGBTQ patient care experience and health outcomes in the United States

The stigmatization of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) individuals has a direct impact on the patient care experience and eventual health outcomes of this population both in the United States and abroad. The stigmatization of LGBTQ individuals in the healthcare system can lead to poor patient care and LGBTQ patients' self-removal from the healthcare system entirely. This self-removal could lead to untreated health issues, as well as the spread of communicable diseases throughout the LGBTQ community. This commentary reviews the Report of the 2019 Southern LGBTQ Health Survey. Recommendations are made for improving provider education on LGBTQ issues, which would, in turn, improve the LGBTQ patient care experience and health outcomes for this population.