"Perhaps the greatest health disparity faced by LGBTQ+ communities is the presumption-of-care gap," the organization found. (Luiz C. Ribeiro for NY Daily News via Getty Images)
There are currently nine states where providers can refuse to perform gender transition procedures for transgender people.
The 84-page report also found that compared to the general public, "LGBTQ+ cancer survivors are more likely to have poor physical and mental health, have higher prevalence of cigarette smoking and heavy alcohol use, and frequently experience homophobia and discomfort expressed by health care providers."
LGBTQ+ individuals face a barrage of "minority stress," including experiences of "overt prejudice, rejection, discrimination, and internalized homophobia."
"More than half of LGBTQ+ adults have experienced harassment, including slurs, microaggressions, sexual harassment, and violence, and 1 in 3 have experienced discrimination simply trying to use the bathroom," the report notes. "This discrimination is most common among people of color and extends to health care settings."
"Exposure to these stressors may lead to increased prevalence of mental health or substance use disorders and unhealthy behaviors that increase cancer risk," the report stated.
MORE YOUNGER PEOPLE ARE RECEIVING CANCER DIAGNOSES, STUDY FINDS — ESPECIALLY THIS TYPE
"Exposure to these stressors may lead to increased prevalence of mental health or substance use disorders and unhealthy behaviors that increase cancer risk," the report stated. (iStock)
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The study comes as other medical groups have recently taken steps to be more "inclusive" of the LGBTQ+ community and push for widespread access to sex changes and hormone therapy for transgenders. Earlier this month, the American Psychological Association (APA) announced a new policy urging clinics to provide "unobstructed access" to gender-transitioning treatments for children.
The American Medical Association (AMA) also states on its website that "improving access to gender-affirming care is an important means of improving health outcomes for the transgender population."
"Receipt of gender-affirming care has been linked to dramatically reduced rates of suicide attempts, decreased rates of depression and anxiety, decreased substance use, improved HIV medication adherence and reduced rates of harmful self-prescribed hormone use," the organization claimed.
Meanwhile, more than half of the members of the World Health Organization’s transgender health policy committee have no medical background and many are gender identity activists, a report in January found.
Fox News Digital reached out to ACS and the CDC for comment.
Jamie Joseph is a writer who covers politics. She leads Fox News Digital coverage of the Senate.
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