The consequences are clear in public health surveys, which show that LGBTI people in the Nordic region have poorer mental and physical health than the rest of the population. Transgender people in particular report higher levels of mental ill-health. Self-harm, suicidal thoughts and suicide attempts are also significantly more common, particularly among young LGBTI people. Studies show that the poor health of LGBTI people is, among other things, a consequence of prejudice and discrimination, having to hide their identity, and homophobia and transphobia that they encounter in everyday life. (Siverskog, 2021).
The living conditions of LGBTI people are influenced by where in the Nordic region they reside. There are regional differences in, for example, access to support, targeted initiatives and networks. Living in the Nordic region’s rural and sparsely populated areas presents specific challenges arising from geographical, cultural and social factors. Young LGBTI people living in rural areas describe their health as poorer and are subjected to more bullying and violence compared with other young LGBTI people in the Nordic region. In many places, there is also a lack of expertise on issues relating to sexuality and gender identity within the healthcare system, as well as poorer access to gender-affirming treatment, compared with more urban areas in the Nordic region (Westerlund et al. 2022). International studies also indicate that indigenous people who identify as LGBTI generally face a higher risk of discrimination, violence, mental ill-health, suicidal thoughts and suicide attempts than other ethnic groups (Kristensen, 2024).