Denver, CO – June 29, 2022 – Healthgrades, the leading resource that connects consumers, physicians and hospitals, today announced its partnership with OutCare Health, the nation’s most comprehensive resource for LGBTQ+ health equity. This partnership will allow LGBTQ+ consumers on Healthgrades to search for providers who identify as culturally competent in the care of the LGBTQ+ population.
Specifically, Healthgrades and OutCare Health aim to achieve the following objectives through the partnership:
- Increase cultural competency, inclusivity, and affirmation within the Healthgrades network through data sharing, education, training and consultation
- Leverage OutCare’s directory to bolster Healthgrades’ network with culturally competent physicians and hospitals
“At Healthgrades, we provide consumers information to help them confidently choose the right doctor, right hospital and right care for themselves and their loved ones,” said Brad Bowman, MD, Chief Medical Officer and Head of Data Science, Healthgrades. “The definition of “right” care not only varies by the specific medical challenges a person is facing, but it can also vary by individual – from insurance coverage through personal compatibility – which is why this partnership is so important.”
Although society has generally become more accepting of different gender identities and sexual orientations, members of the LGBTQ+ population continue to face ongoing stigma, discrimination, and barriers – particularly in healthcare. For example, The Trevor Project found that 45% of LGBTQ youth seriously considered suicide in the past year, including more than half of transgender and nonbinary youth and 1 in 3 cisgender youth. This number is up from 40% in 2020, prior to the pandemic, showing the difficulties from the pandemic largely impacted this population.
“Knowing that the needs of LGBTQ+ patients are unique relative to the needs of the general public, we are pleased to announce this partnership with OutCare Health,” said Burt Kann, EVP and Head of Product at Healthgrades. “We look forward to serving all consumers shopping for health equally and to continue meeting every individual’s personalized needs.”
Consumers can visit healthgrades.com for more information on how Healthgrades connects consumers, physicians and hospitals, and outcarehealth.org for LGBTQ+ information, resources, mentorship, education, training, research and more.
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About Healthgrades
Healthgrades is dedicated to empowering stronger and more meaningful connections between patients and healthcare professionals. As the #1 platform for finding a doctor and as a leader in healthcare transparency, we help millions of consumers each month find and schedule appointments with their healthcare professional of choice and prepare for their appointments with best-in-class, treatment-focused content.
Our health system, healthcare professional, and life sciences marketing solutions have been helping our partners reach and engage consumers who are on their way to the doctor for over 20 years.
Start your search for the right care at healthgrades.com.
About OutCare Health
Founded in 2015, OutCare Health (outcarehealth.org) is a national nonprofit 501(c)(3) health equity organization and the nation’s most comprehensive resource for LGBTQ+ healthcare, offering LGBTQ+ information, resources, mentorship, education, training, consultation, research, providers, and much more for millions of LGBTQ+ people across the country. OutCare has a number of national initiatives, including the OutList directory of LGBTQ+ culturally competent providers, LGBTQ+ Public Resource Database, Mentorship Program, OutTalk series on diversity and intersectionality, OutReach Community Building & Support Groups, OutPost blogs, LGBTQ+ research, LGBTQ+ cultural competency trainings, and many more.
Start your search for LGBTQ+ health equity at outcarehealth.org.