Australia’s medical professionals have voiced their support for marriage equality urging the Abbott government to change their policy.
The Public Health Association of Australia (PHAA) and the Council of Academic Public Health Associations (CAPHIA) have both urged the government to stop opposing same-sex marriage.
PHAA CEO Michael Moore and CAPHIA chairs Catherine Bennett and Colleen Fisher wrote to all members of the House of Representatives and the senate to make “the public health case for marriage equality”.
The leaders of the organisations highlighted the large body of research showing that marginalizing groups in society impacted on their general well being.
“Public health has long been concerned with addressing the social determinants of health that are recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) as critical drivers of health inequity – that is, poorer health outcomes among the vulnerable and marginalized,’ the groups wrote.
“The WHO … recognizes poor mental health as a global public health priority, and that lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and queer (LGBTIQ) people experience higher levels of poor mental health, including suicide, than the general population.”
“Amongst the many social determinants of health adversely affecting the mental and physical health and well being of LGBTIQ people are social exclusion, stigma and discrimination, often associated with poorer health service access and utilization, poorer sexual health, and poorer life expectancy.
“The WHO has resolved that all member states, including Australia, take into account health equity in all national policies. Critically, this resolution is targeted at all policy, not just health policy. It is our belief that the Australian government has a responsibility to ensure that policy on marriage takes into account the mental and physical health and wellbeing of LGBTIQ people.”
The declaration from health professionals joins the recent push from beyondblue, the nation’s leading body for promoting mental health,to change the laws relating to marriage.
OIP Staff
