Dermatologic Care for the LGBT Population: Terminology, Strategies & Select Diseases

Authors

  • Malika Ladha, MD, FRCPC

Abstract

Canada is home to approximately 1 million people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (LGBT). Improving access to care and health for LGBT persons is a public health focus. Dermatology has a longstanding history of providing care to the LGBT community. For instance, in the 1980s, dermatologists diagnosed opportunistic infections and Kaposi sarcoma in young gay men; this contributed to the recognition of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. The role of dermatologists in caring for the LGBT population has continued to grow over time.

Author Biography

Malika Ladha, MD, FRCPC

Dr. Malika Ladha is a board-certified dermatologist in Toronto. She completed Canada’s only official clinical fellowship in Laser Surgery and Aesthetic Dermatology at the University of Toronto. She practices medical and cosmetic dermatology and has an interest in skin of colour. She has been actively involved in various medical organizations, including the Canadian Dermatology Association and the American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery. 

References

Statistics Canada. Canada at a Glance, 2022: LGBTQ2+ people. Available from: https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/12-581-x/2022001/sec6-eng.htm [Accessed 13 October 2023]

HIV disease, from discovery to management: the major role of the dermatologist. J Am Acad Dermatol. 1990;22(6 Pt 2):1306-1318. doi:10.1016/0190-9622(90)70178-k

Comeau D, Johnson C, Bouhamdani N. Review of current 2SLGBTQIA+ inequities in the Canadian health care system. Front Public Health. 2023;11:1183284. doi:10.3389/fpubh.2023.1183284

Yeung H, Luk KM, Chen SC, Ginsberg BA, Katz KA. Dermatologic care for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender persons: terminology, demographics, health disparities, and approaches to care. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2019;80(3):581-589. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2018.02.042

LGBTQ+ Inclusive Language Guide. Edgehill University; accessed at: https://www.edgehill.ac.uk/departments/support/edi/getting-involved/lgbtqi-plus/inclusive-language-guide/

Althof SE, Rosen RC, Perelman MA, Rubio-Aurioles E. Standard operating procedures for taking a sexual history. J Sex Med. 2013;10(1):26-35. doi:10.1111/j.1743-6109.2012.02823.x

Haider AH, Schneider EB, Kodadek LM, Adler RR, Ranjit A, Torain M, et al. Emergency department query for patient-centered approaches to sexual orientation and gender identity: the EQUALITY Study. JAMA Intern Med. 2017;177(6):819-828. doi:10.1001/jamainternmed.2017.0906

Yeung H, Kahn B, Ly BC, Tangpricha V. Dermatologic conditions in transgender populations. Endocrinol Metab Clin North Am. 2019;48(2):429-440. doi:10.1016/j.ecl.2019.01.005

Wierckx K, Van de Peer F, Verhaeghe E, Dedecker D, Van Caenegem E, Toye K, et al. Short- and long-term clinical skin effects of testosterone treatment in trans men. J Sex Med. 2014;11(1):222-229. doi:10.1111/jsm.12366

Published

2023-12-18

How to Cite

1.
Ladha M. Dermatologic Care for the LGBT Population: Terminology, Strategies & Select Diseases. Can Dermatol Today [Internet]. 2023 Dec. 18 [cited 2024 Nov. 23];4(4):16-21. Available from: https://canadiandermatologytoday.com/article/view/4-4-ladha

Issue

Section

Articles