$26 million federal funding for LGBTIQA+ health

The Australian Government has announced a new national action plan and a $26 million investment in health and medical research focusing on LGBTIQA+ communities at the WorldPride 2023 Human Rights Conference.

LGBTIQA+ people can have unique and often complex health needs and difficulty getting appropriate health care, which can lead to poorer physical and mental health outcomes.

The 10 Year National Action Plan for the Health and Wellbeing of LGBTIQA+ people will guide how Australia addresses health disparities and make improvements across the health system.

Mark Butler MP, Minister for Health and Aged Care, said, “While many LGBTIQA+ people live happy and healthy lives, others continue to experience discrimination, stigma, isolation, harassment and violence — all of which leads to poorer health and mental health.

“The sector called on the government to develop an action plan — we listened and we have acted.”

The announcement comes as Assistant Minister Kearney held a roundtable on LGBTIQA+ health in Sydney, prior to the WorldPride 2023 Human Rights Conference.

The roundtable marked the first step in a national consultation that will inform the action plan. An LGBTIQA+ Health Advisory Group will be established to guide its progress.

Kearney said, “We know that there are unacceptable disparities in health outcomes and significant barriers to getting the health care LGBTIQA+ people deserve.

“I’m proud of how far we’ve come and I’m even prouder to stand beside so many fierce advocates in the LBGTIQA+ community that have fought to get Australia where we are today — but the fight is not over.”

The government is also announcing the largest ever investment in LGBTIQA+ health research by an Australian government, with a $26 million grant round funded through the Medical Research Future Fund.

The grants will support projects seeking to improve treatment and care for LGBTIQA+ people.

Image credit: iStock.com/Cristina Moliner