LGBTIQA+ Primary Health Care Priorities in Western Australia: Insights for Advocacy and Action

Abstract

Despite being identified as a priority population in various state and national strategies, LGBTIQA+ people experience elevated health risks due to experiences of discrimination, stigma, and exclusion. While regular engagement with primary health care (PHC) is acknowledged as a determinant of general health, the provision of services in a culturally safe and appropriate way, is imperative to optimise LGBTIQA+ health outcomes. LGBTIQA+ community-controlled organisations play a crucial role in providing essential services and demonstrate utility in supporting health outcomes for LGBTIQA+ people. However, in Western Australia (WA), the limited presence and funding of LGBTIQA+ community-controlled organisations exacerbate reliance on mainstream PHC services where reports of insufficient acknowledgement of and respect for diverse sexualities, genders and sex characteristics prevail. This study sought to better understand the existing primary health care services available for LGBTIQA+ people in Western Australia (WA) to provide recommendations for addressing gaps and improving services and policy.