University Health Services at Princeton is one of 384 healthcare facilities nationwide earning the “LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality Leader” designation

Princeton NJ -- Today, University Health Services at Princeton (UHS) announced their “LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality Leader” designation from the Human Rights Campaign Foundation (HRC). The designation was awarded in the 16th iteration of HRC’s Healthcare Equality Index (HEI). A record 1,065 healthcare facilities actively participated in the HEI 2024 survey and scoring process. Of those participants, 384 received the top score of 100, earning the “LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality Leader” designation.

As Mark Baehser, Associate Director, Medical Services at UHS explains the importance of this designation:

“LGBTQIA+ individuals experience disparities in healthcare access and outcomes compared to their heterosexual and cisgender counterparts. These disparities often stem from discrimination and stigma, where people are likely to delay healthcare due to fear of discrimination or lack of understanding from healthcare providers. Creating affirming healthcare for young adult LGBTQIA+ patients is crucial for these reasons.

Princeton University Health Service is dedicated to offering inclusive and supportive care for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning patients. Our participation in the HEI has guided us in identifying areas for enhancement and implementing best practices sourced from institutions nationwide. Achieving the designation of “LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality Leader” through the Health Equality Index as issued by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation is a source of pride for our organization. This recognition holds significance for both current and potential patients, as well as students, faculty, and staff members.”

Key components of UHS’ application to HEI that led to receipt of the “Leader” designation include: 

• All departments in UHS participated in completing the application. 
• 65 of the 72 specific deliverables were satisfied. 
• UHS responded to 152 out of the 159 questions.
• 74 documents were created to upload as evidence of compliance.   
• 5 executives completed in total (approximately) 20 hours in LGBTQIA+ training. 
• A cross-departmental working group was formed to consider collection and use of demographic data related to gender identity and sexual orientation, how we can use these data to monitor and improve access for members of marginalized groups, and under what conditions it is appropriate to gather or disseminate the data
• Students may update gender identity and pronouns in the MyUHS portal.  
• Self-identification is available in most and soon all initial Health Histories for newly entering students completed on the MyUHS portal.
• Student gender identity, pronouns, and preferred name are displayed prominently in the patient chart to help avoid errors.
• Students may update race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and gender identity at each visit.
• “Ensuring an affirming environment, equal access, and quality care for gender diverse employees and students” policy was implemented.
• “Ensuring Non-discrimination based on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity or Expression” policy was created.
• Mandatory annual staff training was put in place.
• Patient Bill of Rights was updated with inclusive language and a non-discrimination statement. 
• UHS’ Strategic Plan was updated to indicate a specific focus on LGBTQAI+ populations including an addendum around strategies to identify and address health disparities. 
  • Gender transition guidelines for staff were promulgated.
  • The UHS Trans Health Team expanded its scope to include all LGBTQIA+ populations, becoming the QT + Team. 
  • A new PRIDE logo was developed for UHS.

This year’s HEI comes as LGBTQ+ adults are twice as likely as non-LGBTQ+ adults to be “treated unfairly or with disrespect by a doctor or healthcare provider” in the last three years, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation. The impact of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation combined with a history of discrimination in healthcare settings has the potential to cause even more LGBTQ+ people to delay or avoid seeking healthcare, which makes the HEI even more salient for those looking to find LGBTQ+-inclusive care.

The Human Rights Campaign Foundation is the educational arm of the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), America's largest civil rights organization working to achieve equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) people. Through its programs, the HRC Foundation seeks to make transformational change in the everyday lives of LGBTQ+ people, shedding light on inequity and deepening the public’s understanding of LGBTQ+ issues, with a clear focus on advancing transgender and racial justice.