Lawmakers Urge HHS to Collect Data on LGBTQ+ Communities During COVID-19 Pandemic

Strategic Insights -

Congressional representatives, led by Sens. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) and Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), have written a letter to HHS Secretary Alex Azar, highlighting the need for collecting data on LGBTQ+ communities during the COVID-19 pandemic. The lawmakers argue that the current lack of demographic data, including sexual orientation and gender identity, will hinder healthcare providers' and policymakers' ability to address the prevention and treatment needs of LGBTQ+ communities.

Key Takeaways:

  • The COVID-19 pandemic disproportionately affects members of the LGBTQ+ community, with a higher likelihood of lacking access to adequate medical care, paid medical leave, and basic necessities.
  • The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) COVID-19 Case Report Form does not include questions about a patient's sexual orientation or gender identity, contradicting HHS Healthy People 2020 objectives and ignoring the objectives of Section 4302 of the Affordable Care Act.
  • Collecting demographic data on sexual orientation and gender identity is increasingly common in major health surveys and public health surveillance systems.
  • HHS has already developed internal guidance for collecting sexual orientation and gender identity data in a uniform manner, but has not implemented it.
  • The lawmakers request that HHS create a plan to integrate sexual orientation and gender identity data variables into COVID-19 surveillance systems, share guidance with health care providers about why data on sexual orientation and gender identity is essential, and take steps to ensure that federally run health facilities collect data on sexual orientation and gender identity.

Statistics:

  • The LGBTQ+ community is disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, with a higher likelihood of lacking access to adequate medical care, paid medical leave, and basic necessities.
  • According to a recent report, members of the LGBTQ+ community are more likely to "lack access to adequate medical care, paid medical leave, and basic necessities during the pandemic."
  • Collecting demographic data on sexual orientation and gender identity is increasingly common in major health surveys and public health surveillance systems.

Sources:

  • The letter was signed by 95 members of Congress, including Sens. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) and Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) and Rep. Ral M. Grijalva (D-Ariz.-03).
  • The letter was referenced on the website of the Center for American Progress, Family Equality, Lambda Legal, and the National LGBT Cancer Network.
  • The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
  • The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)