Proposed declassification of disease categories related to sexual orientation in theInternational Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems(ICD-11)

Abstract

The World Health Organization is developing the 11th revision of the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD-11), planned for publication in 2017. The Working Group on the Classification of Sexual Disorders and Sexual Health was charged with reviewing and making recommendations on disease categories related to sexuality in the chapter on mental and behavioural disorders in the 10th revision (ICD-10), published in 1990. This chapter includes categories for diagnoses based primarily on sexual orientation even though ICD-10 states that sexual orientation alone is not a disorder. This article reviews the scientific evidence and clinical rationale for continuing to include these categories in the ICD. A review of the evidence published since 1990 found little scientific interest in these categories. In addition, the Working Group found no evidence that they are clinically useful: they neither contribute to health service delivery or treatment selection nor provide essential information for public health surveillance. Moreover, use of these categories may create unnecessary harm by delaying accurate diagnosis and treatment. The Working Group recommends that these categories be deleted entirely from ICD-11. Health concerns related to sexual orientation can be better addressed using other ICD categories.

Saúde da população LGBT+ no contexto da atenção primária em saúde: relato de oficina realizada no internato integrado de Medicina de Família e Comunidade/Saúde Mental em uma universidade pública

“…Ser lésbica, gay, bissexual e transexual, ter qualquer identidade de gênero, expressão de gênero ou orientação sexual não configura doença e sim características pessoais. 6,7 A gênese das condições de saúde e adoecimento da população LGBT+, quer em sua dimensão estrutural, inter-relacional ou internalizada, encontra-se na discriminação e no estigma a que ela está submetida, bem como nas diferenças e desigualdades em saúde que a afetam. [8][9][10][11][12] Desse modo, o enfrentamento do estigma, do preconceito e da discriminação são temas centrais nos debates sobre o cuidado à saúde à população LGBT+.…”

Sickness, “sin” and discrimination: Examining a challenge for UK mental health nursing practice with lesbian, gay and bisexual people

“…Homosexuality is still illegal in 79 countries, with laws in 10 countries providing for the death penalty (see: ILGA, ). The WHO review committee for ICD‐11 2017‐18 has concluded that:

From a human rights perspective, the F66 categories selectively target individuals with gender nonconformity or a same‐sex orientation without apparent justification (Cochran et al., , p. 676).

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“…From a human rights perspective, the F66 categories selectively target individuals with gender nonconformity or a same‐sex orientation without apparent justification (Cochran et al., , p. 676).…”

ICD-11 symposia at the World Congress of Psychiatry

“…The symposia summarized the proposals for the various sections of the chapter, which are being produced by the fourteen working groups appointed by the World Health Organization (WHO) in consultation with relevant stakeholders, including WHO's member countries, several professional groups, and users of mental health services and their families. A list of scientific papers presenting and discussing these proposals, and of other relevant publications, is provided at the end of this article .…”