Rainbow Health Initiative
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The Rainbow Health Initiative (RHI) is a Minnesota-based 501(c)3 organization dedicated to "improving the health of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender Minnesotans through education, clinical practice, research and advocacy." Founded in 2000 by physicians and health advocates, RHI has re-framed the discussion of LGBT health in Minnesota from HIV/AIDS to a broader definition of the health disparities affecting LGBT persons.
Educational Activities
RHI hosted a regional LGBT health-forum in 2005 to present the findings of their tobacco research and gather the community to determine the next steps. They presented a community-nominated GLBT Health Advocate Award to Dr. Eli Coleman for his many contributions to improving the health of GLBT Minnesotans. Additionally, RHI has hosted a regular Seminars & Speaker's Series on a variety of LGBT-Health related topic. Volunteers from the organization also frequently participate in community panels and events. RHI offers presentations, lectures and training on LGBTQ Health Topics to health professions and health professionals in training. RHI annually conducts a student lecture series during National LGBTQ Health Awareness Week at the University of MN Medical School.
Research Activities
RHI is involved in ongoing community-based participatory research to utilize community perceptions and experiences to develop programs that ultimately improve the health of LGBTQ Minnesotans. Since 2005, RHI has collected thousands of community health assessments on self-identified LGBTQ people. These data is then disseminated to the community to develop reports, organizational directions, and community education. Additional innovative exploratory research projects include determining causes for the significantly elevated pregnancy rates among LGBTQ Youth, and developing physician-delivered smoking cessation interventions for people living with HIV/AIDS. Past data includes top health concerns, insurance status, whether an individual has disclosed their sexual orientation to their health care provider, and views on tobacco control. They also conducted focus groups in several communities (lesbian, bisexual, gay men, transgender, deaf, and greater Minnesota) to better understand why LGBT people smoke, what public health strategies are most effective at reaching the community, and to understand attitudes toward [smoke-free policies]. They published a report entitled, Creating an Effective Tobacco Plan for Minnesota's Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Communities..
Advocacy Activities
RHI works with mainstream and LGBTQ health and human service organizations to advocate for policies and programming to improve the health LGBTQ people in Minnesota. As the lead agency of the Minnesota LGBTQ Health & Wellness Coalition and the Tobacco-Free Lavender Communities, RHI utilizes community mobilization strategies to engage community members to effectively change the state of LGBTQ health in Minnesota. To increase the capacity of organizations and community leaders to address LGBTQ health, RHI offers funding to innovative projects that address LGBTQ health and wellness.