PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
OCTOBER 21, 2024
Contact: Eli Duffy
Director of Communications & Strategic Partnerships
eduffy@glma.org
WASHINGTON, DC – A recent study explores the adoption of new gender markers by health professionals, following the expansion of the NPI system to include additional options for gender identity, including options for non-binary health professionals, alongside the "male" and "female” options.
The inclusion of "unspecified or another gender identity (X) and undisclosed (U)" gender markers were the result of an advocacy initiative led by GLMA in collaboration with Whitman-Walker Institute. Effective beginning in April 2024, this change aimed to promote inclusivity and equity within healthcare systems. It allows health professionals to accurately represent their gender identity, aligning with legal documents and enhancing the accuracy of research and directories.
The study, authored by Jae Downing Corman, PhD, Head of Analytics & Research at FOLX Health, and Julia Przedworski, PhD, at Diversity Science, analyzed clinicians registering for their NPI over a three-month period. Health professionals were assigned to states based on their NPI primary practice address, categorized by the Movement Advancement Project (MAP) as either negative or non-negative in terms of gender policy environments. The research revealed that 0.4% of health professionals in states with negative political climates and 0.8% in nonnegative states opted for the new gender marker options, among other findings. You can read the full publication here.
“This expansion is a pivotal step toward a more inclusive healthcare system and a significant win for clinicians,” said Dr. Corman. “It not only can prevent misgendering, but also can enhance the accuracy of patient directories and research. Research has found that patients often avoid care due to perceived identity differences with their clinicians. As a non-binary person, it’s incredibly meaningful to see my identity represented in healthcare settings. At FOLX, we believe that accurate representation is key to delivering quality care. Now, a person can find a clinician in their health insurance directory that shares their identity. This can be an affirming experience, like letting out a slow breath—it feels safe and allows them to finally have the healthcare experience they’ve never known they could have, where they feel seen."
"It's exciting to see these findings that underscore the significant gender diversity within the health professional community," said Jona Tanguay, MMSc, PA-C, AAHIVS, and GLMA President. "Approximately 1% of the adult population identifies as nonbinary, which means these initial figures likely underestimate the prevalence of gender expansive identities among health professionals, even in supportive states. GLMA began this advocacy in 2021, and I am proud to see this study’s early data that demonstrate the significant impact of more inclusive data collection practices on the NPI registry.”
"The study's findings highlight the early impacts of this important change to the National Provider Identifier registry,” said Kellan Baker, PhD, MPH, MA, and Executive Director of Whitman-Walker Institute. “We are proud to have successfully advocated with GLMA for this policy, which promotes accurate representation, enhances data inclusivity for healthcare providers, and helps prevent misgendering. This is a critical step in supporting our diverse workforce of healthcare providers across the country."
For further details on the NPI Registry or instructions on updating your own NPI profile, please watch GLMA's webinar recording, which outlines the necessary steps.
About GLMA: Health Professionals Advancing LGBTQ+ Equality
GLMA is a national organization committed to ensuring health equity for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) communities and equality for LGBTQ+ health professionals in their work and learning environments. To achieve this mission, GLMA utilizes the scientific expertise of its diverse multidisciplinary membership to inform and drive advocacy, education, and research. glma.org
About Whitman-Walker Institute
Whitman-Walker Institute is a Washington, D.C. based organization that leverages cutting-edge research, policy, and education to advance health equity at the federal level and in states across the country. We bring to this work expertise in rigorous research and health policy analysis, deep relationships with state and federal policymakers, longstanding partnerships across multiple justice movements, and the direct service experience of Whitman-Walker Health, a Federally Qualified Health Center that serves thousands of diverse patients across the D.C. area and beyond. The Institute is home to nationally recognized experts in areas of policy such as LGBTQI+ health equity, care for transgender people, insurance reform, social determinants of health, HIV prevention and treatment, and sexual orientation and gender identity data collection. More information can be found at: https://www.whitman-walker.org/institute/