LGBTQ+ Health Disparities Part 1

 

LGBTQ+ youth face crises of mental and physical health that can last a lifetime.

(First published on Cigna.com)

Health disparities are differences in health between different groups of people. LGBTQ+ people experience a number of health disparities. They're at higher risk of certain conditions, have less access to health care, and have worse health outcomes. These disparities are seen in the areas of behavioral health, physical health, and access to care.

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Behavioral health. Behavioral health includes mental health, substance abuse, and addiction. LGBTQ+ people are at greater risk of:

• Suicide and suicidal thoughts
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• Mood disorders and anxiety
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• Eating disorders
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• Alcohol and substance abuse
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• Tobacco use

Physical health. LGBTQ+ people are at greater risk for certain conditions, diseases, and infections:

• Gay and bisexual men are more likely to have HIV/AIDS.
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• Transgender Women, Black/African American and Hispanic/Latino men have the highest risk for HIV infection.
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• Older LGBTQ+ adults are more likely to rate their health as poor and report more chronic conditions while having less social support.
  
  
• Lesbian and bisexual women are more likely to be obese.
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• LGBTQ+ people are less likely to have a regular health care provider.
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• Lesbian and bisexual women have higher rates of breast cancer, and transgender men and women are at greater risk.
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• LGBTQ+ people have higher rates of HPV infection and related cervical or anal cancers.

         

Help gay youth get a healthy start in life. 

Click here.