"Sorry, no results found": evaluating LGBTQIA + inclusivity of U.S. cancer centers' websites.
Support Care Cancer
; 32(10): 640, 2024 Sep 07.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-39242436
ABSTRACT
PURPOSE:
Cancer care for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual, and other sexuality and gender diverse (LGBTQIA +) individuals is marked by disparities stemming from a history of discrimination, stigma, and systemic inequities. For LGBTQIA + individuals seeking cancer care, cancer center websites may be a first point of contact with healthcare. Two complementary studies sought to evaluate the LGBTQIA + inclusivity of cancer centers' websites.METHODS:
The authors conducted two studies in 2022-2023, reviewing the websites of National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated cancer centers and Children's Oncology Group (COG)-designated health systems and cancer centers. Reviewers manually searched websites and coded several Yes/No criteria for LGBTQIA + inclusivity.RESULTS:
Among the 65 NCI cancer centers' websites in 2023, 66% included a nondiscrimination statement, 71% mentioned LGBTQIA + health disparities, 65% included LGBTQIA + tailored resources, and 66% had articles about LGBTQIA + health. There was a trend of increased inclusivity across categories from 2022 to 2023. Among the 204 COG-designated health system websites in 2023, there were 60 pediatric care websites and 144 lifespan care websites. A total of 79.9% of COG health system websites referenced LGBTQIA + patients (80.0% of pediatric and 79.9% of lifespan sites), 16.7% of COG cancer center websites referenced LGBTQIA + patients in the context of cancer care (6.7% of pediatric and 20.8% of lifespan sites), and 82.4% yielded results when search terms were input (83.3% of pediatric and 81.9% of lifespan sites).CONCLUSIONS:
Adult and pediatric cancer centers' websites have varying levels of LGBTQIA + inclusivity based on nondiscrimination statements, articles, and the availability of LGBTQIA + resources. While there have been some improvements in inclusivity on the NCI-designated cancer centers' websites between 2022 and 2023, there is a need for further improvement.Key words
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Internet
/
Sexual and Gender Minorities
/
Neoplasms
Limits:
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
Country/Region as subject:
America do norte
Language:
En
Journal:
Support Care Cancer
/
Support. care cancer
/
Supportive care in cancer
Journal subject:
NEOPLASIAS
/
SERVICOS DE SAUDE
Year:
2024
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Country of publication: