National Envelope- National Initiatives

Rainbow Health - Improving Access to Care

$2,307,000

The Canadian Rainbow Health Coalition, operating under the auspices of Gay and Lesbian Health Services Saskatoon, addresses emotional, physical, spiritual, and mental health and wellness needs of people who have emotional and/or sexual relationships with people of the same gender.

Partners:

Organizations and professional associations, educational institutions, regional and district health authorities, and organizations from the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and trans-gendered community.

Objectives:

To develop education and training resources to ensure that the primary health care system is more accessible and responsive to the unique and serious health needs of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and trans-gendered people. To work with health care educational institutions and professional associations to ensure they provide education on the health needs of gay, lesbian, bisexual and trans-gendered people. The project also proposes to increase public awareness of the primary health care system and how the system can be used to better serve target populations.

Activities:

• Develop curricula and educational tools, resource materials, social marketing campaigns, and a website;
• Partner with health education institutions and professional associations to ensure better education for health professionals on gay, lesbian, bisexual and trans-gendered health and wellness needs;
• Develop and distribute educational materials; and
• Host a series of national and regional conferences for partner collaboration.

Expected Results:

A health care system that is more knowledgeable about gay, lesbian, bisexual, and trans-gendered community health issues, which will better meet the specific primary health care needs of this population.

Contact:

Gens Hellquist
Executive Director
Canadian Rainbow Health Coalition
PO Box 3043
304-220 3rd Avenue S.
Saskatoon, SK S7K 3S9
Tel: (306) 955-5130
Fax: (306) 955-5132
Email: gens@rainbowhealth.ca
http://www.rainbowhealth.ca/english/improving.html