Introduction
The paper aims to offer a health promotion program for Leon County’s LGBTQ+ population that specifically addresses their social and mental health issues, which have been made worse by the COVID-19 pandemic. The COVID-19 immunization rates of people with human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) who are reluctant to receive the vaccine will be improved as a result of the intervention. The suggested solution tries to address the particular health inequities that the LGBTQ+ population has to deal with, which have been made worse by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mental And Social Health Disparities Among LGBTQ+ Individuals/Communities
Due to stigma, discrimination, and violence, the LGBTQ+ population has long experienced inequities in their mental and social health. LGBTQ+ people are more likely to share despair, anxiety, suicidal thoughts, substance misuse, and HIV/AIDS, according to the CDC (2019). Human Rights Campaign Foundation survey results show that 60 percent of LGBTQ+ people reported feeling lonely during the epidemic, and these people also had a higher chance of developing mental health problems and abusing drugs (HRC, 2022). To address these inequities and advance the health and well-being of the LGBTQ+ population in Leon County, a specific health promotion intervention is required.
Recommendations For Adult Immunization and Preventive Health
I suggest adhering to the CDC recommendations for immunization and preventive health to address the vaccine reluctance among people with HIV/AIDS. The recommendations state that the COVID-19 vaccination should be administered to all individuals over the age of 12—including those with HIV/AIDS (Parrish, 2019). Moreover, researchers warns against vaccinations against influenza, hepatitis A and B, human papillomavirus (HPV), and other diseases for LGBTQ+ people who are more likely to contract them (Parrish, 2019). To enhance general health and well-being, preventive procedures, including sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing, cancer screenings, and mental health exams, are also advised.
Strategies for Self-Care Empowerment and the Role of Digital Technology
In order to empower the LGBTQ+ people/community, I advise implementing self-care strategies that take into account their unique health needs. Promoting LGBTQ+ accepting and accessible mental health treatments, such as therapy and counseling, is one of these measures (Pepping et al., 2018). Digital technology can have a significant impact on encouraging self-care and expanding community access to healthcare. For LGBTQ+ people to seek medical advice and emotional assistance, for instance, telemedicine and online support groups can offer a private, secure setting. Social media use can aid in spreading health promotion information and increasing awareness of LGBTQ+ health concerns.
Furthermore, we can also investigate the use of mobile applications that can provide the LGBTQ+ community with help for self-care. Applications can offer advice on mindfulness, meditation, and managing one’s mental health. They can also support tracking and monitoring physical health, including STI testing, cancer screening, and medication adherence (Drissi et al., 2020).
These apps may also be created to provide a secure and private way for the community to engage with healthcare professionals and other services. LGBTQ+ people living with HIV/AIDS can also benefit from using digital technology, such as telehealth, from getting medical treatment from a distance. This could boost treatment adherence, lower barriers to care, and improve access to care. It is essential to make sure that these technologies are created with the unique requirements of the LGBTQ+ community in mind and are culturally competent.
Conclusion
The suggested health promotion intervention, which focuses on those LGBTQ+ people living with HIV/AIDS who are apprehensive about taking the COVID-19 vaccination, intends to address the mental and social health needs of the population in Leon County. Through self-care techniques and digital technology, the intervention will put a strong emphasis on promoting preventative health, enhancing healthcare access, and empowering the local population. I am sure that these steps will improve the LGBTQ+ community’s health outcomes and lessen health inequalities in Leon County.
References
CDC. (2019). Health disparities among LGBTQ youth. Centers for Disease and Prevention. Web.
Drissi, N., Ouhbi, S., Idrissi, M. A. J., & Ghogho, M. (2020). An analysis on self-management and treatment-related functionality and characteristics of highly rated anxiety apps. International journal of medical informatics, 141. Web.
HRC. (2022). LGBTQ people and the coronavirus economy. Human Rights Campaign. Web.
Parrish, J. (2019). Coping with sexually transmitted diseases. The Rosen Publishing Group, Inc.
Pepping, C. A., Lyons, A., & Morris, E. M. (2018). Affirmative LGBT psychotherapy: Outcomes of a therapist training protocol. Psychotherapy, 55(1). Web.