Public Health is Part of the Fastest-Growing U.S. Employment Sector

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that the healthcare and social assistance sector will grow faster than any other sector and add about 45% of all new jobs through 2032.1

LGBTQ+ Health Careers Will Increase Relative to the Rest of the Field

Changes in the legal, cultural and demographic landscape of the United States have led to increasing demand for a better understanding of the unique public health needs of LGBTQ+ communities and more culturally competent healthcare services providers. 7.2% of U.S. adults identify as LGBTQ+ and members of younger demographic groups are more likely to identify as LGBTQ+.2

At the same time, the Affordable Care Act, the American Rescue Plan and the Obergefell v. Hodges Supreme Court decision have all worked to expand access to healthcare insurance for LGBTQ+ people.3,4 These two legal and cultural trends are increasing career opportunities in sexual and gender minority health.

Prepare for LGBTQ+ Health Professional Opportunities With Kent State

If you are a public health, social services or healthcare professional with a bachelor’s degree or more advanced degree, the two-semester Kent State online Graduate Certificate in LGBTQ+ Public Health can help you with the professional and cultural skills to advance in a variety of LGBTQ+ health careers, including:

  • LGBTQ+ health advocacy jobs
  • Jobs in LGBTQ+ health policy
  • LGBTQ+ health service providers
  • LGBTQ+ mental health careers
  • LGBTQ+ health outreach careers
  • LGBTQ+ health education careers

How Kent State's Online Graduate Certificate Supports You in LGBTQ+ Health Careers

The first and only public health-focused LGBTQ+ studies certificate program in the state of Ohio prepares you with the knowledge and skills to support this historically underserved population. Earning the certificate sets you apart as a professional committed to social justice and inclusive public health policy and practice, empowered with the skills and knowledge to make meaningful contributions to LGBTQ+ health equality.

You can complete the online Graduate Certificate in LGBTQ+ Public Health in as little as two semesters and customize the integrative learning experience to suit your professional interests and target your career goals.

Learn more about the LGBTQ+ studies certificate program

Women sitting on a therapist couch

Apply Your LGBTQ+ Public Health Expertise in These Industries

Fill the demand for public health, healthcare and social services professionals with growing numbers of employers including these:

  • Federal, state and local government
  • Human rights advocacy organizations
  • Hospitals; state, local and private
  • Healthcare organizations
    • Individual and family services
    • Nursing and residential care facilities
Man consulting his Physician in a doctors office

Work with Organizations Fostering More Equitable, Inclusive Public Health

Some top organizations that hire healthcare professionals with LGBTQ+ expertise include:

  • Cleveland Clinic5
  • Kaiser Permanente6
  • California Department of Public Health7
  • U.S. Veterans Health Administration8
  • U.S. Department of Health and Human Services9

LGBTQ+ Health Professional Opportunities

Professionals in many different areas of public health and healthcare services can expand their career options with the skills and knowledge gained in Kent State’s online Graduate Certificate in LGBTQ+ Public Health. Here are some professional roles focused on supporting LGBTQ+ health.

Manager, LGBTQ Unit (Health Program Manager I)

Employer: California Department of Public Health

Highlights: This role has oversight of program design, implementation, reporting and outreach to various health disciplines and community agencies.7

Search term: Jobs in LGBTQ+ health policy

Supervisory Public Health Analyst

Employer: Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

Highlights: Duties for this role include strategic planning, raising awareness of the organization's mission and disseminating policies, practices and strategies for improving the delivery of behavioral health services.9

Search term: Career paths in LGBTQ+ health equity

Program Manager, National LGBTQIA+ Health Education Center

Employer: Fenway Health

Highlights: This role is responsible for online educational initiatives, internal and external training and technical assistance in a center that provides behavioral and clinical health information for the organization’s staff and others.10

Search term: LGBTQ+ health advocacy jobs

Transgender and Gender Expansive Case Manager

Employer: Planned Parenthood of Illinois

Highlights: Duties for this role include medical and psycho-social case management in support of the patient’s medical care plan and behavioral health needs.11

Search term: Transgender health specialist jobs

Kent State LGBTQ+ Public Health Research in Action

Kent State College of Public Health outreach program director and adjunct instructor Andrew M. Snyder has conducted extensive public health research projects about LGBTQ+ communities in Ohio. Learn about the 2023 study in a post on the College of Public Health blog.

Learn about the research

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Sources
  1. Retrieved on September 25, 2023, from .bls.gov/news.release/pdf/ecopro.pdf
  2. Retrieved on September 25, 2023, from news.gallup.com/poll/470708/lgbt-identification-steady.aspx
  3. Retrieved on September 25, 2023, from aspe.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/2021-07/lgbt-health-ib.pdf
  4. Retrieved on September 25, 2023, from oyez.org/cases/2014/14-556
  5. Retrieved on November 7, 2023, from salary.com/job/cleveland-clinic-health-system/aprn-pa-i-lakewood-lgbtq-and-internal-medicine/j202305260456404179506
  6. Retrieved on November 7, 2023, from healthecareers.com/job/internal-medicine-lgbtq-hiv-primary-care-full-time/2803641
  7. Retrieved on September 25, 2023, from lgbtqcenters.org/Careers
  8. Retrieved on November 7, 2023, from usajobs.gov/job/758674900
  9. Retrieved on September 25, 2023, from usajobs.gov/job/750702400
  10. Retrieved on September 25, 2023, from fenwayhealth.org/employment/
  11. Retrieved on September 25, 2023, from chicagotherapycollective.org/job/transgender-and-gender-expansive-case-manager/