Jefferson Health Launches Primary Care Program for LGBTQIA+ Older Adults

In the first of its kind program, Jefferson Health announced the opening in late 2023 of "Pride at the Jefferson Center for Healthy Aging," a program dedicated to caring for Philadelphia's aging LGBTQIA+ community, combining clinical care and research efforts to create a primary care home for LGBTQIA+ older adults.

The new Center combines best practices in LGBTQIA+ inclusive, geriatrics-informed primary care with advanced care needed by many members of these communities, including gender-affirming care, HIV care, and sensitive advance care planning.

“For too long, many LGBTQIA+ older adults have felt the need to hide their identities in health care. They have expected or even experienced discrimination in clinical settings. With Pride, we have created a safe space that empowers them, offering affirming health care and a community safe haven," said Michael Danielewicz, M.D., the Center’s director.

The need for affirming care for the older LGBTQIA+ communities proved especially true during the AIDS crisis. Dr. Danielewicz said many of his patients with and without HIV faced a loss of their community and support system while experiencing exclusion from health care settings, which has created a lasting distrust of health care.

Today, clinicians in the practice receive ongoing training from SAGECare, a leading training organization specializing in LGBTQIA+ cultural humility for older adults.

A toolkit is under development that will allow clinical settings outside Jefferson Health to replicate Pride's innovative clinical program.