Southwest Alabama Inclusion Project to study LGBTQ+ community needs
The LGBTQ+ Community Needs Survey will gather information on the lived experiences and demographics of LGBTQ+ persons in the region, with a goal of helping identify needs related to health, program development, services and safety.
By Bernie Dorrough
bdorrough@health.southalabama.edu
The Southwest Alabama Inclusion Project recently launched the LGBTQ+ Community Needs Survey, a high-turnout data collection effort focused on LGBTQ+ people in the region. The Inclusion Project is a collaboration of 30 organizations, including student groups USA Spectrum, which serves the University of South Alabama, and MedPride and Allies, based out of the Frederick P. Whiddon College of Medicine.
USA’s role in this project is to assist with the survey to gather information on the lived experiences and demographics of people in the LGBTQ+ community, with a goal of helping identify their needs, including those related to health, program development, services and safety.
“The LGBTQ+ community historically has been underserved, particularly when it comes to healthcare and medical needs,” said Natalie Fox, DNP, executive director of academic physician practices at USA Health. “By better understanding the past experiences of people in the community and where they perceive a lack of adequate healthcare, organizations will be able to take action to address their concerns.”
In addition to health-related needs, the survey includes questions about social-service and government programming; safety, support, and availability of inclusive spaces; and minority stress in families, school, and community environments.
“Young members of the LGBTQ+ community often face disproportionate challenges, including lack of parental support and housing insecurity, making it difficult to stay in school,” said Franklin Trimm, M.D., associate dean of diversity and inclusion at the Whiddon College of Medicine and assistant vice president for medical affairs. “Better understanding their specific needs will allow us to improve efforts to help both current medical students and young people hoping to apply in the future.”
The survey is open to people who currently live or have previously lived in southwest Alabama, including Baldwin, Choctaw, Clarke, Conecuh, Escambia, Marengo, Mobile, Monroe, Washington and Wilcox counties. All participants will receive a $10 Visa cash or gift card. The survey is available at https://redcap.link/healthinsider.
