TY - JOUR
T1 - Rethinking access for minority segments in rural health
T2 - An LGBTQI+ perspective
AU - Lewis, Clifford
PY - 2020/10
Y1 - 2020/10
N2 - This paper nuances the notion of access when considering minority segments and their use of health care services in rural communities. It argues that access needs to be considered as both the availability and the perceived ability to use a service without fear of retribution. By taking such a stance, this paper addresses the inequality in LGBTQI+ care in rural communities. It claims equitable care can only be achieved if the appropriate environment is created where individuals can disclose their identity and seek appropriate treatment. Given the complexity surrounding rural communities, their prevailing culture and perceptions, as well as stigmas and poor health outcome, a multilevel approach is taken to identify implications. It is argued that to address the individual and systemic barriers to equitable health care, a human rights-centred approach to health needs to be adopted considering the individual, the community and the health system.
AB - This paper nuances the notion of access when considering minority segments and their use of health care services in rural communities. It argues that access needs to be considered as both the availability and the perceived ability to use a service without fear of retribution. By taking such a stance, this paper addresses the inequality in LGBTQI+ care in rural communities. It claims equitable care can only be achieved if the appropriate environment is created where individuals can disclose their identity and seek appropriate treatment. Given the complexity surrounding rural communities, their prevailing culture and perceptions, as well as stigmas and poor health outcome, a multilevel approach is taken to identify implications. It is argued that to address the individual and systemic barriers to equitable health care, a human rights-centred approach to health needs to be adopted considering the individual, the community and the health system.
KW - health access
KW - LGBTQI+ health
KW - LGBTQI+ health services
KW - rural LGBTQI+
KW - rural LGBTQI+ health
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85091611525&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=85091611525&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1111/ajr.12660
DO - 10.1111/ajr.12660
M3 - Article
C2 - 32985013
AN - SCOPUS:85091611525
SN - 1440-1584
VL - 28
SP - 509
EP - 513
JO - Australian Journal of Rural Health
JF - Australian Journal of Rural Health
IS - 5
ER -