Evidence Base in Design When politics and medical science intersect, there can be much debate. Sometimes anecdotes or hearsay are misused as evidence to support a particular point. Despite these and other challenges, however, evidence-based approaches are increasingly used to inform health policy decision-making regarding causes of disease, intervention strategies, and issues impacting society. One example is the introduction of childhood vaccinations and the use of evidence-based arguments surrounding their safety

Evidence Base in Design When politics and medical science intersect, there can be much debate. Sometimes anecdotes or hearsay are misused as evidence to support a particular point. Despite these and other challenges, however, evidence-based approaches are increasingly used to inform health policy decision-making regarding causes of disease, intervention strategies, and issues impacting society. One example is the introduction of childhood vaccinations and the use of evidence-based arguments surrounding their safety

Discussion: Evidence Base in Design

I chose to elaborate on the bill proposed in March of 2023 that ensures transgender citizens receive appropriate opportunities to housing, healthcare, education, employment, and other basic necessities (A Resolution Recognizing That It Is the Duty of the Federal Government to Develop and Implement a Transgender Bill of Rights, 2023). The transgender bill of rights that was proposed would ensure equality for all transgender, nonbinary people in promoting equality to ensure they have the same access to basic needs as every other citizen in the United States.

One article researched that is recently published and peer-reviewed found that people who identify as LGBTQI+ were far more likely to experience homelessness than their counterparts (Fraser et al., 2019). This finding suggests that there is a need to promote safety of housing regarding those who identify as LGBTQI. Providing housing assistance to the community which is fair and does not discriminate is a public health issue that the bill proposed would help to integrate into society to assist those who may need support. Another article that is recently published and peer-reviewed found that unemployment and underemployment of transgender people created another disparity for the population in food scarcity (Russomanno et al., 2019). This provides a need for a healthcare bill that will ensure security of employment, food, and housing for some of the most vulnerable citizens in our society.

Another article found that around 61% of those who identify as transexual have suicidal ideation in their lifetime (Thoma, 2019). This finding expresses a fundamental need for proper access to mental health services for those who identify as LGBTQI. Ensuring proper mental health coverage for this population could decrease the overall outcome of suicide and suicidal ideation.

Given the disproportionate statistics found in data regarding transgenders homelessness, mental health, and food insecurity, the government must take action to ensure equality in basic necessities can be adequately met for those who identify as LGBTQI. This bill proposes that the United States invest in mental health services specifically for transgender citizens, investing in community services to decrease violence against transgender population, and many other acts to increase the quality of life for the LGBTQI community (A Resolution Recognizing That It Is the Duty of the Federal Government to Develop and Implement a Transgender Bill of Rights, 2023). Evidence and statistical data prove the need for implementation of protective bills to ensure equality and basic human needs are met for all of our society, as we all have unique contributions. Expansion of this bill would only be the first step to equality, but it is a needed one.

References:

A resolution recognizing that it is the duty of the Federal Government to develop and implement a Transgender Bill of Rights. (2023). Congress.gov. Retrieved April 7, 2023, from https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/senate-resolution/144/text?s=4&r=10&q=%7B%22search%22%3A%5B%22health+policy%22%5D%7D