- January 7, 2013
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) recently released a report response to the Institute of Medicine’s (IOM) March report, “The Health of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender People: Building a Foundation for a Better Understanding.” The IOM report provides the first comprehensive overview of the health of LGBT populations in the country and scientific research needs. The NIH LGBT Research Coordinating Committee (RCC) was tasked with identifying gaps and areas of opportunity for NIH to consider as a result of the IOM recommendations.
In the report, NIH has identified that the research needs of the LGBT community span a number of institutes, centers, and offices within NIH. It is clear that NIH understands the breadth of health needs and disparities that impact LGBT people across the lifespan. In an effort to better meet these needs and continue NIH engagement on the areas of concern raised by the IOM report, NIH has permanently established the RCC to facilitate and coordinate collaborations and other activities related to LGBT health across the NIH and the Department of Health and Human Services.
The release of this response was a goal set by Secretary Kathleen Sebelius in June 2012 when the Department released its first-ever HHS LGBT Annual Report. HRC applauds this progress and looks forward to working with NIH and HHS to continue to identify and meet the unique health needs and disparities of the LGBT community.