UCLA Health earns LGBTQ+ health care equality leader designation in annual Healthcare Equality Index report

UCLA Health earned "LGBTQ+ Health Care Equality Leader" designation from the Human Rights Campaign Foundation (HRC). The designation was awarded in the HRC’s annual Healthcare Equality Index (HEI)(Link is external), an LGBTQ+ benchmarking tool that evaluates health care facilities' policies and practices related to equity and inclusion of LGBTQ+ patients, visitors and employees.

"We're honored to be recognized for our commitment to fostering diverse and inclusive practices within our workplace and across our organization. Our diversity of backgrounds, talents and perspectives continue to shape us as an award-winning academic medical center for our community, our patients and our employees," says Susi Takeuchi, chief human resources officer, UCLA Health.

In the 2020 report, UCLA Health was among the 495 facilities that earned HRC's "LGBTQ+ Health Care Equality Leader" designation, receiving the maximum score in each section and earning an overall score of 100.

The remarkable progress reflected in the 2020 HEI includes:

• 92% of participants met the HEI’s training requirements, completing more than 150,000 hours of staff training in LGBTQ+ patient-centered care.
• 99% of HEI participants documented that they include both “sexual orientation” and “gender identity” in their patient non-discrimination policy.
• 99% of HEI participants documented that they include both “sexual orientation” and “gender identity” in their employment nondiscrimination policy.
• 53% of HEI participants indicated that their facility has a policy or policies that specifically outline procedures and practices aimed at eliminating bias and insensitivity, and ensuring appropriate, welcoming interactions with transgender patients.

HRC is a non-profit organization working to achieve equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people. Every year, HRC recognizes the health care facilities that participate in the HEI for their dedication and commitment to LGBTQ+ inclusion. This is the HEI's thirteenth issue. 

For more information about UCLA Health’s LGBTQ+ Health Initiative, visit uclahealth.org/lgbtq.