Diversity Digest Newsletter: Summer 2022

Individuals who identify as LGBTQI often experience poorer health outcomes throughout their lifetime compared to non-LGBTQI individuals (CDC, 2020; UCLA School of Law Williams Institute, n.d.). Youth identifying as LGBTQI are more likely to experience substance use disorder, obesity, sexually transmitted infections, anxiety, and depression. They are also three times more likely to commit suicide (Hafeez, Zeshan, Tahir, Jahan, & Naveed, 2017). Adults identifying as LGBTQI are more likely to experience cardiovascular disease and depression and receive fewer cancer prevention therapies. Further, they are more likely to experience victimization, and the elderly are more likely to experience isolation (Caceres, Streed, & Corliss, et al., 2020). 

 

The health disparities experienced by members of the LGBTQI population are associated with poor access to preventive and primary health care. They tend to avoid traditional health care because they have experienced negative encounters with healthcare providers not well versed in the health needs of LGBTQI individuals (Macapagal, Bhatia, & Greene, 2016; Mitchell, Greene, & Skyes, 2016). This is problematic because 4.5% of the population in the United States identifies as a member of the LGBTQI community (Newport, 2018), and these individuals need high-quality, preventive healthcare delivered in a way that respects their personage.

 

 

This year's virtual conference, to be held November 9-10, 2022, will offer insights from Dr. Damon Williams, a visionary and inspirational national expert in strategic diversity leadership and organizational change, and Ms. Terrie Sterling, MSN, MBA, RN, the interim chief executive officer of the University Medical Center New Orleans. Join us for important discussions and actionable strategies for preparing a more diverse nursing workforce.

 

 

 

AACN is currently seeking abstracts describing programs, courses, initiatives, or evaluation strategies that characterize this year's Diversity Symposium theme. Share your work that addresses one of the following topics: 

 

 

 

AACN is currently accepting applications for the 2023 Diversity, Inclusion, and Sustainability in Nursing Education Lectureship Award. AACN presents this award to honor and recognize nursing schools for their extraordinary commitment to diversity excellence and inclusion in their learning environments. Annual awards may be made to one school in each of the following categories: Public Colleges/Universities, Private Colleges/Universities, Small Liberal Arts Colleges, and Academic Health Centers.

 

Diversity is defined as individual attributes that extend beyond race, age, and gender to also include, but are not limited to, characteristics such as national origin, immigrant status, language, color, disability, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, socioeconomic status, veteran status, and family structure. Inclusion is defined as a culture that encourages collaboration, flexibility, and fairness, as well as leverages diversity so that all individuals can participate and contribute to their full potential. An inclusive environment must be created for diversity to flourish. Sustainability occurs when structures and strategies are in place to manage diversity and institutionalize a culture of inclusion. Visit the AACN website to see the full criteria, application, and submission process, or click the button below. The application deadline is January 13, 2023.