The Rights to Health and Health Care of Vulnerable Populations

Reducing the Existing Barriers to Health Equity Experienced by Transgender People in Ireland

Bibliographic Data

ID12930410
AuthorsMaciej Szydlowski (0000-0003-0995-345X, corresponding author)
Year2016
Volume8
Issue2
Pages239-263
Publication date2016-05-10
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Human Rights Practice (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1757-9619 • E-ISSN: 1757-9627
PublisherOxford University Press (OUP) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1093/jhuman/huw005
OpenAlexW2403341878
LanguageEN
Citations received3
References cited26

The aims of this article are to analyse the existing barriers that Irish transgender people encounter while accessing medical care and to identify potential measures to minimize their negative impact. Although transgender populations may be subject to higher rates of health issues and often have specific health needs, they experience health inequalities due to social stigma, and professional and institutional discrimination. The article assesses governments’ and health care providers’ compliance with their responsibilities as defined in the Yogyakarta Principles (2007), in Ireland in particular. It identifies and discusses the key factors that limit transgender people’s access to care and the standard of that care; these factors are: unequal access to health care, limited availability of trans-specific services, discrimination, lack of specific training and expertise, lack of information, and, crucially, non-respect for transgender patient autonomy. The article asserts that these inequalities infringe on the right to health of transgender individuals and should be tackled by means of ensuring that health sciences education, professional codes, standards of practice, and health policy are inclusive of gender variance. Furthermore, the author argues that for these measures to be effective, health care providers and policymakers must first acknowledge transgender identities, respect the rights of transgender individuals, and recognize the legitimacy of their health needs. Finally, they should actively promote transgender people’s right to self-determination and thus enable them to make choices regarding their health. The author concludes that these coordinated efforts will contribute to the fulfilment of transgender people’s right to the highest attainable standard of health

Autonomy · Health care · Health equity · Inequality · Political science · Public relations · Sociology · Transgender · Discrimination and Equality Law · Health Services Management and Policy · LGBTQ Health, Identity, and Policy · Medicine · Psychology · Gender Studies · Law

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