Rutgers Experts Available to Discuss Health Concerns of Transgender People During Transgender Awareness Week
NEWARK, NJ (November 7, 2018)— On the occasion of Transgender Awareness Week (November 12–19), Rutgers University medical experts are available to discuss the mental and physical health issues that transgender and gender non-conforming people face that prevent them from fully participating in society, including accessing health care.
“Individuals who identify as transgender have a higher risk of poor mental health and suicide, which experts such as the World Health Organization attribute to societal stigma, violence, non-acceptance and discrimination,” said Ian Marshall, faculty co-director of the Gender Center of New Jersey at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School and Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital
“Uncoupling the mental and physical problems from gender identity and addressing the hurdles these individuals face is essential to eliminating the higher rate of poorer overall health in those who identify with a gender that is different from the sex assigned to them at birth,” says Gloria Bachmann, faculty co-director of the Gender Center of New Jersey.
“Current data show that transgender women are disproportionately affected by HIV: According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, around a quarter of transgender women live with HIV. For black transgender women, that rate rises to 56 percent. Transgender people receive a new HIV diagnosis more than three times the national average. Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) greatly reduces the risk of HIV infection. However, many are unaware of this potentially life-saving medication,” says Jamir Tuten, of Rutgers New Jersey Medical School who is leading community engagement in New Jersey for the HIV Prevention Trials Network’s national clinical trial of PrEP as a long-acting injectable drug for HIV prevention.
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Broadcast interviews: Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences has broadcast-quality TV and radio studios available for remote live or taped interviews with Rutgers experts. For more information, contact Neal Buccino [email protected]
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Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences (RBHS) takes an integrated approach to educating students, providing clinical care and conducting research, all with the goal of improving human health. Aligned with Rutgers University–New Brunswick, and collaborating university-wide, RBHS includes eight schools, a behavioral health network and four centers and institutes. RBHS offers an outstanding education in medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, public health, nursing, biomedical research and the full spectrum of allied health careers. RBHS clinical and academic facilities are located throughout the state.
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