Transgender Health Department of Defense Policies
TRANSGENDER HEALTH
DoD Policies
Understanding Transgender Health Issues
Approximately 0.6% of adults in the United States, or 1.4 million individuals, identify as transgender. An estimated 13,000 transgender troops are currently serving on active duty in the U.S. military. Transgender people are twice as likely to have military service compared to the cisgender population. ("Still Serving in Silence: Transgender Service Members and Veterans in the National Transgender Discrimination Survey"; LGBTQ Policy Journal, Vol. 3)
Transgender individuals face health disparities linked to societal stigma, discrimination, and denial for civil and human rights. This discrimination has been associated with high rates of psychiatric disorders, substance abuse, suicide, victimization, sexually transmitted infections, HIV, and more. Assuming patients are cisgender and lack of transgender competent training in healthcare can create barriers around providing appropriate care, testing, and screening for transgender patients, which perpetuates the health disparity.
Transgender Service Member Policy Implementation Fact Sheet
DoDI 1300.28 - In-Service Transition for Transgender Service Members
Understanding Transgender Health Issues
Approximately 0.6% of adults in the United States, or 1.4 million individuals, identify as transgender. An estimated 13,000 transgender troops are currently serving on active duty in the U.S. military. Transgender people are twice as likely to have military service compared to the cisgender population. ("Still Serving in Silence: Transgender Service Members and Veterans in the National Transgender Discrimination Survey"; LGBTQ Policy Journal, Vol. 3)
Transgender individuals face health disparities linked to societal stigma, discrimination, and denial for civil and human rights. This discrimination has been associated with high rates of psychiatric disorders, substance abuse, suicide, victimization, sexually transmitted infections, HIV, and more. Assuming patients are cisgender and lack of transgender competent training in healthcare can create barriers around providing appropriate care, testing, and screening for transgender patients, which perpetuates the health disparity.
Factsheet - Understanding Sexual Orientation and Sexual Idenity (NMCPHC)
Healthy People 2020: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Health
Factsheet - Sexual Health for Transwomen (UCSF Center of Excellence for Transgender Health)
Redefining Safe Spaces for Transgender Patients (USC Dept of Nursing)