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Health Disparities: Progress, Challenges and Opportunities Lesbian Health

Health Disparities: Progress, Challenges and Opportunities Lesbian Health. 19 th National Conference on Chronic Disease Prevention and Control March 1, 2005. Overview. Last ten years show some progress in lesbian health research

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Health Disparities: Progress, Challenges and Opportunities Lesbian Health

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  1. Health Disparities: Progress, Challenges and OpportunitiesLesbian Health 19th National Conference on Chronic Disease Prevention and Control March 1, 2005 Atlanta Lesbian Cancer Initiative

  2. Overview • Last ten years show some progress in lesbian health research • Evidence shows lesbians may be at higher risk than heterosexual women for many chronic diseases • Homophobia is a health risk • Grassroots efforts are leadingthe way Atlanta Lesbian Cancer Initiative

  3. Progress has been made in recognizing lesbians as a target population • 1985 – National Lesbian Health Care Survey • 1994 – National Institute of Health (NIH) includes lesbians and bi-women in Women’s Health Initiative Study • 1997 – Institute of Medicine (IOM) Committee on Lesbian Health Research Priorities convened • 1997 – CDC’s National Breast and Cervical Cancer Prevention Program (BCCP) includes lesbians as priority population • 2000 – Gay and Lesbian Medical Assn., with HHS funding, publishes Healthy People 2010 Companion Document for LGBT Health • 2000 – U.S. Census first begins to track same-sex couples Atlanta Lesbian Cancer Initiative

  4. Factors affecting lesbian health • Childbearing • Routine screening • Insurance • Unhealthy behaviors • Access to care 1985-1995 pooled survey data for lesbians1994 NHI Survey and 1984-1994 Nat’l Health and Nutrition Examination Survey III, Cochran and Mays, Am J Pub Health, 2001 Atlanta Lesbian Cancer Initiative

  5. Lesbians report negative experience of healthcare “A soon as I said I was a lesbian, the nurses started giving me disgusted looks.” “You’d get poorer care if they knew you were a lesbian.” “It’s like putting your life in the hands of someone who really hates you.” Stevens, P.E. and S. Morgan (2001). J Pediatric Health Care 15(1): 24-34 Atlanta Lesbian Cancer Initiative

  6. Homophobia is a health hazard • Being gay or lesbian is not inherently hazardous to health • Homophobia – external and internalized – must be recognized as a legitimate health hazard Atlanta Lesbian Cancer Initiative

  7. Opportunities and Next Steps • Education efforts are increasing • Community-based efforts continue to grow • There is increased support from some on the national level • We need to know more Atlanta Lesbian Cancer Initiative

  8. Questions or Comments? Linda Ellis, MEd, MDiv Executive Director Atlanta Lesbian Cancer Initiative www.alci.org Atlanta Lesbian Cancer Initiative

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