Denied and Dismissed: The LGBTQ Community’s Fight for Equitable Healthcare - with Justin Ayars, CEO of Equality MD

03/12/25 • 38 min

The LGBTQ community faces worse health outcomes, barriers to care, and systemic discrimination in healthcare—yet their struggles remain largely overlooked.

Despite being officially recognized as a health disparity population by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), inequities persist. LGBTQ patients often experience discrimination in a clinical setting, leading many to avoid seeking care altogether. 1 in 6 are denied care and 1 in 5 experience discrimination from health insurers. Meanwhile, LGBTQ youth are 4-5 times more likely to attempt suicide than their straight peers.

In this episode, we sit down with Justin Ayars, CEO of EqualityMD, to discuss the healthcare challenges LGBTQ patients encounter, where these stem from, and how we can build a more inclusive and equitable healthcare system.

The LGBTQ community faces worse health outcomes, barriers to care, and systemic discrimination in healthcare—yet their struggles remain largely overlooked.

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undefined - Heart Disease in Women: The Deadly Crisis No-One Talks About - with Ritu Thamman, MD at University of Pittsburgh and American College of Cardiology

Heart Disease in Women: The Deadly Crisis No-One Talks About - with Ritu Thamman, MD at University of Pittsburgh and American College of Cardiology

Heart disease is the number one cause of death in women globally. It is responsible for 1 in 3 female deaths, or 1 female death every minute.

But, no one talks about it.

We delve into what makes heart disease in women unique, why it is underdiagnosed and undertreated, and what we can all do to help improve heart health in women.

Joining us is Ritu Thamman, MD, a Cardiologist and Associate Professor of Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh, a Fellow and member of the Women in Cardiology Leadership Council for the American College of Cardiology, and a senior collaborator with the American Heart Association.

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Menopause Decoded: What's Really Happening & How To Navigate It - with Stacey Silverman Fine, MD at Maven Clinic

Menopause is a natural biological transition that over 1 billion women worldwide are experiencing or have gone through.

Yet, despite its universality, it remains widely misunderstood and rarely discussed.

Each year, 1 million women in the U.S. enter menopause, and by age 55, 80% have gone through it. Symptoms are common and can be disruptive to life at work and at home. Examples include hot flashes (80%), night sweats (70%), vaginal dryness (60%), mood changes (50%), and sleep disturbances (40%).

But menopause isn’t just a health issue —it’s a workplace and societal issue. 1 in 4 women consider leaving their jobs due to symptoms, and many report stalled career progression or missed opportunities because of unmanaged health challenges. A lack of menopause support in the workplace contributes to gender inequality, as women at the peak of their careers face increasing barriers to leadership and personal economic stability.

In this episode, we break down what menopause is, why it happens, what to expect, and—most importantly—what can help.

Joining us is Dr. Stacey Silverman Fine, OB-GYN at Maven Clinic, who explains the science, debunks common myths, and shares practical strategies to help women and allies address menopause with greater awareness and support.