Grant: Cat G.: Policy Res. Health System Trans - IPPH - Public Health Systems Research

SOGIE (sexual orientation, gender identity and expression) diverse groups are people with similarities in experiences of shared stigma and discrimination with a higher frequency of adverse health outcomes compared to heterosexual and/or cisgender people. These findings highlight a need for health equity approaches recognizing SOGIE diversity in conceptualizing, programming, and delivery of health services. Ontario's 34 public health units offer health promotion and disease prevention programming related to healthy "lifestyles", communicable disease control including education in HIV/STBBIs, immunization, healthy growth and development, and selected screening services, among others. Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care guidelines specify that information related to sexual orientation and gender identity should be collected in a timely manner and programming should consider these. The Chief Public Health Officer of Canada's 2021 Report on the State of Public Health in Canada emphasizes the need for upstream action and mobilizing community involvement; the need for qualitative and mixed-methods research approaches; the need for disaggregated and equity-oriented data (including by sexual orientation and gender identity). This project will: 1) explore public health policies, documents, standards, and data related to SOGIE diversity; 2) collect perspectives from SOGIE diverse communities about experiences with public health services; 3) identify experiences of public health representatives about connecting with and including SOGIE communities in their work; and 4) make recommendations about public health practice inclusion of SOGIE diverse communities in Ontario. Knowledge mobilization strategies throughout the project will ensure the variety of affected stakeholders (e.g., SOGIE communities, public health practitioners, policymakers, researchers) culminates in key implications and recommendations on integrating SOGIE diversity into public health policy and practice.