Study Highlights Need for More Inclusive Healthcare for Bi+ Australians
26 Jun 2026
Source: newsGP
The Bi+ Sexual Health and HIV Study, conducted by the Kirby Institute and the University of New South Wales (UNSW), surveyed more than 2,100 people across Australia's bi+ community.
The study found that 72% of participants had a regular GP, while 89% had accessed a sexual health service at least once. General practice was the most commonly used service, with 82% of participants reporting they had visited a GP for sexual health care.
Researchers found that many participants also experienced significant health and safety challenges. Around 63% reported experiencing sexual violence as adults, 28% reported psychological distress, and 24% reported recent illicit drug use.
The study also found differences across groups within the bi+ community. Cisgender bi+ women reported higher rates of sexual violence, illicit drug use and sexually transmitted infections. Transgender and non-binary participants reported greater inclusion within LGBTQ+ communities but also higher rates of sexual violence and poorer mental health. Cisgender bi+ men were less likely to engage with LGBTQ+ communities and sexual health services.
Less than half of participants said they felt welcome in LGBTQ+ sexual health services, while only 41% believed general sexual health services were knowledgeable and inclusive of bi+ people.
RACGP Specific Interests Sexual Health Medicine Chair Dr Sara Whitburn said the findings show that many GPs are committed to inclusive care, but healthcare needs to continue adapting to better support people with diverse sexual identities.
She said assumptions about a patient's relationships or sexual identity can unintentionally exclude bi+ people and stressed that inclusive care requires ongoing learning rather than a one-time approach.
Dr Whitburn also said GPs should include sensitive conversations about personal safety during sexual health consultations, particularly given the high rates of sexual violence reported in the study.
She called for more funded training in sexual health and LGBTQIA+ healthcare, along with higher Medicare rebates for longer consultations to support more personalised and inclusive care.
Study Highlights Need for More Inclusive Healthcare for Bi+ A
Source: newsGP