The health of LGBT Missourians: A growing problem with solutions

1:40 - 2:40 p.m., Wednesday, March 25, 2015
PSU 312


In Missouri, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) individuals experience poorer access to care and worse health out comes than their heterosexual peers, according to the Missouri Foundation for Health. But, what is the cause of this disparity? 

This presentation will give participants a glimpse into the health of LGBT Missourians. Looking at the issues that have caused this inequity, participants will be educated on the known health disparities, and tools used by health care providers to become LGBT welcoming. Participants will gain first-hand knowledge on the successful collaborative model of the Missouri LGBT Health policy project, which has advocated to bridge this gap in Missouri  Because of this work, Missouri moved from 37th in 2013, to 6th in the Nation (1st in the Midwest), for hospital facilities that are leaders in LGBT health care as rated by the Human Rights Campaign’s Healthcare Equality Index (HEI).


Presenter

Manager of Public Policy Andrew Shaughnessy

Andrew Shaughnessy

Manager of Public Policy
PROMO

Andrew Shaughnessy is manager of public policy for PROMO, Missouri’s statewide organization advocating for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality through legislative action, electoral politics, grassroots organizing and community education. He previously held the position of St. Louis regional organizer.

During his time at PROMO, Andrew has advocated to extend LGBT basic protections to more than 440,000 Missourians, and recently worked with 48 Missouri Hospitals to incorporate over 105 LGBT welcoming policies.

Shaughnessy describes himself as a campaigner, human rights activist, community organizer and public policy advocate. He holds his BA in philosophy from Missouri State University and his master’s in human rights from the School of Public Policy at University College London. When not working, he enjoys reading, writing and traveling. Shaughnessy loves anything that involves the outdoors and tries to get himself to the theatre and symphony as often as possible.

@andrewshag