Western University survey finds gaps in health care system for trans, non-binary Canadians

A new report from Western University is showing some ‘concerning’ numbers for transgender and non-binary Canadians when it comes to having their health care needs met.

The Canada-wide survey included almost 3,000 transgender and non-binary people and was the work of academic and community researchers across the country.

The Trans PULSE Canada project is the first national all-ages data on the health and well-being of transgender and non-binary individuals.

Greta Bauer, Ph.D., Professor at Western University’s Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry and the principal investigator on the study said the data was concerning.

“We found that trans people were likely to have a primary doctor, but that did not mean their healthcare needs were getting met.”

The first report from the Trans PULSE Canada survey showed that 81 per cent of respondents report having a primary health care provider and 45 per cent say they have had one or more unmet health care needs in the past year.

“We know from our previous research that this isn’t just about accessing gender-affirming health care, but that there were issues we documented in our study 10 years ago with access to primary care and emergency care,” Bauer said.

The numbers show that 12 per cent avoided going to the emergency room in the last year despite needing care.

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