We are honored that you are considering Adelante Healthcare for you and your family. As a 501(c) not-for-profit community health center serving the Valley since 1979, we offer members of the LGBTQ community thoughtful, experienced care they can trust. We go to special lengths to create a safe, non-judgmental space for our members to address their health concerns, and our staff receives special training each year to make sure that you get the best medical care and customer service as we embrace the diversity of our communities.
We are proud to be the first community health center in Arizona to complete the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Health Equality Index for full accreditation, and we have maintained our status since first receiving it in 2013.
This accreditation means the HRC has reviewed our policies and procedures to ensure we provide LGBTQ-friendly medical care, that we actively seek out and hire LGBTQ staff members, and that everyone in our organization has received training in respecting the needs of the LGBTQ community.
Our providers are equipped to handle the full spectrum of primary health concerns, as well as a range of issues specific to LGBTQ patients, for which they may be at an increased risk. In addition to comprehensive wellness visits, our providers are trained in recognizing and dealing with issues related to depression and anxiety, cancer prevention and screening, weight management and body-image issues, substance abuse, and care for sexual health, including STD and HIV prevention and treatment, and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP).
LGBTQ people often experience prejudice, stereotyping, harassment or bullying. This kind of discrimination can be extremely stressful, which can put you at added risk for depression, anxiety, substance abuse, feelings of loneliness and even suicide. Being open not only about your sexual orientation and gender identity, but also about any substance abuse or mental health concerns allows your provider to give you the best possible care.
Research has shown that LGBTQ people are more likely to smoke, lesbians are at higher risk for obesity, and some gay men struggle with poor body image. If you discuss these issues with your healthcare providers, they can advise you on healthy diets and exercise routines, as well as smoking cessation, substance abuse treatment, and self-image counseling.
Lesbians, bisexual women, and some transgender people should also make sure they are getting routine gynecologic screenings, including Pap smears and routine breast cancer screening.
Talking to your healthcare provider about topics like your sexual health may not be easy, but there are many benefits from sharing openly. While everyone’s needs are different, some or all of the following topics may be important to consider:
Additionally, all LGBTQ people should feel comfortable talking to providers about family life issues such as partner abuse, feeling safe at home, and living wills.
Many resources are available for LGBTQ patients seeking medical care and advice. Here are a few you may wish to contact:
Adelante Healthcare is proud to be a Federally Qualified Community Health Center or FQHC. That means we are part of a decades-long health movement that embraces a philosophy of improving the health of our communities:
We are consciously creating a new model of family practice and primary care medicine. We hope you will find our attention to customer service and high level of care the beginning of a long, health-filled relationship.
Please feel free to call and find out more. 480-964-2273
