Why so many LGBTQ+ people put off going to the doctor
Fear of being mistreated keeps a lot of people away, and cost keeps away even more. Here's what the research shows, and why it matters.
Key takeaways
- About 1 in 5 LGBTQI+ adults delayed care because they feared discrimination.
- Cost is an even bigger barrier, for 1 in 3.
- Delays often mean skipping screenings and checkups that catch problems early.
Putting off care can seem like a personal choice. The research shows it's often a reasonable response to past experiences, or to costs that are hard to manage.
Fear of how you'll be treated
21%
of LGBTQI+ adults put off or skipped care for fear of discrimination
37%
of transgender adults did the same
24%
of trans survey respondents didn't see a doctor when they needed to, for fear of mistreatment
The Center for American Progress also found that 18% of LGBTQI+ adults delayed preventive care, like screenings, because of the risk of discrimination. Only 6% of other adults said the same.
The cost of care
Money is an even bigger barrier. In the same survey, 33% of LGBTQI+ adults put off care when they were sick or hurt because of the cost, compared with 15% of non-LGBTQI+ adults. Among transgender adults it was 45%.
It's not that people don't care about their health. It's that every visit can feel like a risk.
One bad visit can echo for years
KFF found that 39% of LGBT adults said a negative experience with a provider made them less likely to seek care. Each bad experience makes the next appointment harder to book.
What helps
- Knowing where you'll be respected. Our guide on finding an affirming provider covers signs to look for.
- Help with cost. Community health centers charge based on income, and many LGBTQ+ centers can point you to low-cost care.
- Support from people who get it. See how to find peer support.
Sources
- Center for American Progress, The LGBTQI+ Community Reported High Rates of Discrimination in 2024, March 2025
- National Center for Transgender Equality, 2022 U.S. Transgender Survey: Early Insights, 2024
- KFF, LGBT Adults' Experiences with Discrimination and Health Care Disparities, April 2024
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