It’s a sad reality: Transgender individuals and those who identify as queer often face significant barriers in the healthcare system. These obstacles can manifest as discrimination, implicit bias or a lack of provider understanding—creating environments that may feel unwelcoming, unsafe or even hostile. As a result, transgender and other LGBTQIA people often feel discouraged from seeking medical attention, and this leads to higher risk of serious, untreated physical and mental health challenges.

A study conducted in the Rock Mountain region researched a group of 417 transgender adults and found staggering results. Transgender individuals who avoided medical care due to fear of discrimination were nearly three times more likely to experience depression, and almost four times more likely to attempt suicide compared to those who did not avoid care. Additionally, those who skipped receiving care reported significantly poorer physical and mental health symptoms overall. These statistics don’t need to be a reality any longer. As an entire industry, we need to be better. One of Altera Digital Health’s core values is respect for the individual, and it’s one we take seriously.

The vital importance of safety and belonging

This data highlights a critical truth: Feeling seen, understood and safe in a healthcare setting is a necessity. Patients of all identities need to walk in a room and feel empowered to engage in their health journey and have a trustworthy relationship with their provider. When patients feel respected and validated, they’re more likely to actively participate in their care and build lasting relationships with their healthcare providers. Yet, many individuals continue to face exclusion and discomfort in healthcare settings.

As a healthcare IT vendor, we are committed to creating tools and experiences that help foster safe, inclusive environments where all patients feel seen, heard and respected for who they are.

Feeling seen, understood and safe in a healthcare setting is a necessity. Patients of all identities need to walk in a room and feel empowered to engage in their health journey and have a trustworthy relationship with their provider.

Our commitment to inclusive, safe patient care

At Altera Digital Health, we understand the responsibility we hold in helping to drive positive change. With the release of Sunrise™ 25.1, we are taking meaningful steps toward a more inclusive and affirming healthcare experience. A key update in this releasencludes the ability for preferred names and pronouns to be added to patient profiles. We believe that this feature does more than personalize care—it fosters safety and increases patient satisfaction, which, in turn, can help drive better overall patient outcomes.

Patient care is our clients’ top priority, and we are ready to help take that care to the next level.

Our vision is to empower clinicians with technology that enables compassionate, safe and accurate care—and to empower patients to take charge of their health in an environment where they are truly welcomed. Let’s be better today than we were yesterday.