Background: Access to various healthcare services among rural communities, including gender diverse, non-native English speaking and pediatric to geriatric patients, has historically led to both shared and compounded barriers to care for rural and diverse populations. A previous study of health needs among rural communities found barriers to accessing gender-affirming services (Almanzan et al.). Other studies have noted the need for community partnerships (Bopp et al) and made use of bilingual and electronic data collection to investigate disparities in LGBTQ+ health (Eliscu et al).

Objective: Assess the healthcare needs, attitudes and comfort surrounding accessing healthcare services, including gender affirming, mental health, and family planning services for the diverse LGBTQ+ populations in rural Mono and Inyo counties in CA.

Methods:  Two designed surveys – one for community members and one for healthcare providers – will be advertised from April-May 2025. Collected survey data will guide the study’s stratification of needs-based assessment and attitudes of those residing and/or providing healthcare services to rural Mono and Inyo counties. Communities that we are hoping to include but are not limited to are LGBTQ+ individuals, seasonal workers, low-wage or part time workers, undocumented, students, and/or pockets of populations have less access to electronic means of communication and non-English speaking participants.

Results: Pending initiation of survey distribution – will update prior to scholarship day

Conclusions: Healthcare services can be more accessible to rural communities with increased awareness and accessible educational topics for both providers and patient.  Studies like this can further support de-stigmatization of stereotypes of LGBTQA+ people by highlighting the need for these unique populations. Considering the political change in power, we are hopeful in continuing accessibility, like the recently approved requirements for LGBTQ+ health education for providers in CA. Gendered language and lack of visibility matter more than just in healthcare spaces. Further, data collected serves as a template to inform strategies for implementing healthcare services  to other underserved rural communities based on capacity, resources, and unique challenges accessing these communities.