Urgent need for cervical cancer screening emphasis and engagement strategies among rural LGBTQ+ individuals.

Cervical cancer is a preventable cancer through the use of screening and the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine. Even with the availability of screening and the HPV vaccine, disparities exist by geographic area (rural versus urban) and sexual orientation and gender identity. Due to stigma the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and other sexual and gender minorities (LGBTQ+) encounter in healthcare, they are less likely to engage in routine healthcare. This is compounded in the rural LGBTQ+ population because of additional barriers such as lack of access to care, lack of competent providers, and financial constraints. A recent study in LGBTQ+ individuals in rural central and Southern Illinois revealed that only 50% of individuals were compliant with cervical cancer screening. Barriers to screening included poor prior experiences, financial burden, and gender dysphoria. There are strategies that could be utilized to address the disparities that exist among rural LGBTQ+ individuals. These include enhancing medical and clinical education, enhancing workforce diversity, enhancing the clinical environment to promote health equity, and enhancing regulatory pressure to enhance LGBTQ+-specific education opportunities. These efforts will be critical in reducing the health disparities that exist in cervical cancer screening among the LGBTQ+ population.