Transgender and Gender Diverse Access to Healthcare in Rural Communities

Course overview

Many rural communities face difficulties with access to mental and physical healthcare. Barriers to quality healthcare such as socio-economic status, limited social support, or gender identity often make finding a health provider more difficult. Transgender and gender-diverse people face these barriers, especially when they try to seek access to healthcare in rural communities where a gender-affirming provider may not be available. When gender-diverse individuals are unable to locate needed care, the risk of having a mental health diagnosis and/or a higher risk of suicide is increased. With the rise in telehealth access, an opportunity exists for gender-diverse people to make connections with peers and other healthcare providers more able to assist them. The research focused on the difficulties that transgender and gender-diverse people face within the current healthcare system is discussed.