2026 Webinar – Viral Hepatitis and Sexual Health in LGBTQ+ Communities and Beyond ondemand-From Stigma to Prevention

From Stigma to Prevention

Pdf Summary

Jessica Wisocky’s presentation, “From Stigma to Prevention: Sexual Health Care and Hepatitis A,” focuses on how stigma affects LGBTQ health care access and how inclusive sexual health screening can support prevention. The talk defines stigma as a deeply discrediting attribute that leads to discrimination and unequal treatment, including in health care. It highlights three forms of stigma: real, perceived, and anticipated.<br /><br />The presentation notes concerning U.S. trends, including legislation limiting gender-affirming care, many transgender adults avoiding or delaying health care, and sexual minorities reporting discrimination from providers. In response, it emphasizes creating inclusive clinical environments by addressing sexual orientation, gender identity, and relationship structure in a nonjudgmental way.<br /><br />A major section outlines practical sexual health questions providers should ask, such as condom use frequency, partner gender and anatomy, relationship status, sexual practices (including rectal, vaginal/front hole, and oral sex), gender identity, and chemsex/substance use. These questions are framed as important for understanding risk and tailoring care rather than making assumptions based on identity labels.<br /><br />The presentation then turns to Hepatitis A. It describes a major U.S. outbreak from January 2017 to October 2018, during which HAV rates increased by 294%. Vaccination coverage was low in key groups: about 40% among men who have sex with men (MSM) and only 10–30% among transgender and gender-diverse (TGD) people. The talk also reports outbreak data showing 260 cases in the MSM community, many cases with unknown MSM status, and substantial hospitalization, though no deaths were reported.<br /><br />Overall, the message is that reducing stigma, using inclusive sexual health assessments, and improving HAV vaccination are essential steps in prevention and equitable care.

Keywords

stigma

LGBTQ health care

inclusive sexual health screening

gender identity

sexual orientation

Hepatitis A

HAV vaccination

transgender health

men who have sex with men

health care discrimination