LGBTQ+ Community Needs Assessment
Interactive Self-Reported Health Demographic Dashboard
Welcome to the Interactive Self-Reported Health Demographic Dashboard, derived from the LGBTQ+ Community Needs Assessments conducted across Greater Akron (2023) and Greater Cleveland (2024). This comprehensive tool aggregates data from 2202 unique LGBTQ+ community survey responses, offering a nuanced understanding of the health status and socio-demographic characteristics of the LGBTQ+ community members across Northeast Ohio.
Understanding The Self-Reported Health Dashboard
Self-reported health data provides invaluable insights into the lived experiences and perceived well-being of LGBTQ+ individuals. In the absence of a feasible community-based provider assessments, self-reported data offer a direct window into the community’s health landscape. While these responses are subjective, they reflect individuals’ perceptions of their physical, mental, behavioral, spiritual, and social health, crucial for identifying areas of concern and designing targeted public health interventions.
This dashboard, driven by data collected through the Greater Akron (2022) and Greater Cleveland (2024) LGBTQ+ Community Needs Assessment serves as a pivotal resource for diverse stakeholders aiming to advance LGBTQ+ health, well-being and inclusivity across various fronts. Policy makers and advocates can leverage these data to advocate for inclusive policies and allocate resources effectively, addressing the unique needs and challenges faced by LGBTQ+ individuals. Community organizations and healthcare providers can utilize these insights to tailor programs and services that cater to the specific needs of LGBTQ+ individuals. Grant funders can utilize this data set to inform their funding priorities, ensuring that precious resources are directed towards initiatives that address the pressing health needs of LGBTQ+ individuals. Likewise, grant writers can leverage this comprehensive data to strengthen grant proposals, providing evidence-based rationale for fundings requests. Researchers and scholars can utilize this rich dataset to conduct evidence-based research aimed at better understanding the determinants of LGBTQ+ health outcomes and identifying effective interventions. LGBTQ+ community members and allies can use this dashboard to stay informed about the health status and needs of the community, fostering dialogue, collaboration, and collective action. By engaging with the data, all stakeholders have the opportunity to advocate for positive change and support initiatives that promote health equity and inclusivity.
While this dashboard provides valuable insights into the health status and needs of LGBTQ+ individuals, it is essential to acknowledge certain limitations. Firstly, the data collected relies on self-reporting, which may be subject to biases or inaccuracies. Additionally, the survey responses represent a snapshot in time and may not fully capture the dynamic nature of health needs within the LGBTQ+ community. Furthermore, the sample size, while substantial, may not be fully representative of all LGBTQ+ individuals in the region. Therefore, caution should be exercised when generalizing findings or making policy recommendations solely based on this dataset. Finally, the absence of certain demographic or health-related variables in the dashboard my limit the depth of analysis in specific areas. For a more in-depth analysis, visitors are encouraged to explore the full community report accompanying this dashboard on lgbtqohio.org. Despite these limitations this dashboard remains an innovative and valuable resource for understanding and addressing the health disparities experienced by LGBTQ+ individuals across Northeast Ohio.