Which of the following is true regarding the experiences of sexual minorities with health care?

• A. Sexual minorities rarely encounter challenges related to stigma or bias in medical environments.
• B. Sexual minorities consistently report better mental health outcomes than the general population when seeking health care.
• C. Sexual minorities often face barriers to accessing culturally competent health care.
• D. Sexual minorities are less likely than heterosexual individuals to experience discrimination in health care settings.

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the term 'sexual minorities' which refers to individuals whose sexual orientation or identity differs from the heterosexual majority, including lesbian, gay, bisexual, and other non-heterosexual groups.
2. Step 2: Recognize that research in psychology and health care shows sexual minorities often face unique challenges, including stigma and bias, when accessing medical services.
3. Step 3: Analyze the statements given: the first and fourth options suggest sexual minorities rarely face stigma or discrimination, which contradicts established findings in psychological and health care research.
4. Step 4: Consider the second option about better mental health outcomes; evidence generally indicates sexual minorities experience higher rates of mental health issues due to minority stress, so this is unlikely to be true.
5. Step 5: Conclude that the third option, stating sexual minorities often face barriers to culturally competent health care, aligns with psychological research highlighting the need for sensitive and informed care to reduce disparities.