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More than an Apple a Day: Factors Associated with Avoidance of Doctor Visits Among Transgender, Gender Nonconforming, and Nonbinary People in the USA

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Abstract

Introduction

Transgender, gender non-conforming, and non-binary (TGNCNB) people commonly experience disrespect or discrimination from health care providers when attempting to utilize health care services and tend to avoid or postpone obtaining necessary care. Informed by Andersen’s Behavioral Model of Health Services Use and Lerner and Robles’ Adapted Behavioral Model of Health Care Utilization among Transgender People, we examine avoidance of health care utilization among TGNCNB adults based on anticipated disrespect or mistreatment from doctors.

Methods

Hierarchical logistic regression was used to analyze data from the 2015 United States Trans Survey (N = 27,715), the largest TGNCNB sample, to date, collected in 2015. A total of 21,930 participants were selected for the current study.

Results

Nearly one fourth (22%) of the sample reported not utilizing health care when necessary because they anticipated being disrespected or mistreated when visiting a doctor. Cost (OR = 2.51, CI = 2.32–2.72), invasive questions (OR = 2.38, CI = 2.16–2.63), refusal of care (OR = 2.20, CI = 1.78–2.71), being verbally harassed (OR = 2.18, CI = 1.86–2.56), and needing to educate a provider (OR = 1.89, CI = 1.73–2.07) were the strongest predictors of avoidance of health care utilization.

Discussion

Perceived doctor discriminatory behaviors, cost, need to educate a provider, verbal harassment, and perception of gender conformance are major barriers to TGNCNB people utilizing health care.

Social Policy Implications

Reducing transphobia among health professionals utilizing cultural safety by developing providers that are comfortable and affirming of TGNCNB people is critical. Federal policy, such as the Equality Act, is also vital so that transphobia is considered an illegal form of discrimination across the USA that will continue to discourage health insurance companies from denying claims for medically necessary, transition-related health care.

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Acknowledgement

We would like to express deep gratitude to the National Center for Transgender Equality for providing the 2015 United States Transgender Survey data for our analysis. Our research would not have been possible without their generosity.

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  1. School of Social Work, University of Washington, 4101 15th Avenue NE, Seattle, WA, 98102, USA

    Justin E. Lerner

  2. New York University, New York, NY, USA

    James I. Martin

  3. University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA

    Gabriella Silva Gorsky

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  1. Justin E. Lerner
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Lerner, J.E., Martin, J.I. & Gorsky, G.S. More than an Apple a Day: Factors Associated with Avoidance of Doctor Visits Among Transgender, Gender Nonconforming, and Nonbinary People in the USA. Sex Res Soc Policy 18, 409–426 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13178-020-00469-3

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