- US national health survey included question about sexual orientation for the first time in 2013 and 2014
- Found lesbian, gay and bisexual adults face significant health disparities
- Disparities are particularly in mental health and substance abuse – experts
- They suggest risk may be linked to stress caused by discrimination
Lizzie Parry For Dailymail.com
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Lesbian, gay and bisexual adults are more likely to smoke, drink heavily and experience both physical and mental health problems, a new survey has revealed.
Experts suggest the significant health disparities may be the result of stress caused by discrimination.
For the first time, the 2013 and 2014 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) in the US, included a question on sexual orientation.
Dr Gilbert Gonzales of Vanderbuilt University and his team used the data to examine health risks in the lesbian, gay and bisexual adult community.
They suggest the high prevalence and risk of psychological distress among bisexual adults, may be associated with them being ‘marginalized’ by the heterosexual population, and experiencing ‘stigma’ from gay and lesbian adults.
Lesbian, gay and bisexual adults in the US are more likely to smoke, drink heavily and experience both physical and mental health problems, a new federal survey has revealed
As a result, they said, bisexual adults could be left with fewer connections in the sexual minority community.
The authors wrote: ‘Findings from our study indicate that lesbian, gay and bisexual adults experience significant health disparities – particularly in mental health and substance use – likely die to the minority stress that LGB adults experience as a result of their exposure to both interpersonal and structural discrimination.
‘As a first step toward eliminating sexual orientation-based health disparities, it is important for health care professionals to be aware and mindful of the increased risk of impaired health, alcohol consumption and tobacco use among their LGB adult patients.’
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Researchers analyzed data relating to 525 lesbians, 624 gay men and 515 bisexual adults, as well as 67,150 heterosexual people.
The group was 51 per cent female, and had an average age of almost 47 years old.
The authors found:
- Gay, bisexual and heterosexual men reported similar levels of self-rated health, functional status and physical health.
- While 16.9 per cent of heterosexual men had moderate or severe psychological distress, 25.9 per cent of gay men and 40.1 per cent of bisexual men reported those levels of distress.
- Bisexual men reported the highest prevalence of heavy drinking at 10.9 per cent compared with heterosexual (5.7 per cent) or gay (5.1 per cent) men.
- Gay and bisexual men were more likely to be current smokers compared with heterosexual men but bisexual men were most like to be heavy smokers (9.3 per cent) compared with heterosexual (6.0 per cent) and gay (6.2 per cent) men.
- 21.9 per cent of heterosexual women showed symptoms of moderate and severe psychological distress compared with lesbian (28.4 per cent) and bisexual (46.4 per cent) women.
- Bisexual women had the heaviest alcohol consumption (11.7 per cent) compared with lesbian (8.9 per cent) and heterosexual (4.8 per cent) women.
- Both lesbian and bisexual women (greater than 25 per cent) were more likely to be current smokers compared with heterosexual women (14.7 per cent), although lesbian women (5.2 per cent) were more likely to be heavy smokers than heterosexual (3.4 per cent) and bisexual (4.2 per cent) women.
- Lesbian women were more likely to report poor or fair health and multiple chronic conditions compared with heterosexual women; bisexual women were more likely to report multiple chronic conditions than heterosexual women.
Researchers at Vanderbuilt University suggest the high prevalence and risk of psychological distress among bisexual adults, may be associated with them being ‘marginalized’ by the heterosexual population, and experiencing ‘stigma’ from gay and lesbian adults
However, the authors do note some limitations of their study.
The survey responses were self-reported, and in addition transgender identity was not ascertained because transgender individuals are often not identified in federally sponsored health surveys.
Also, the researchers noted, the survey cannot establish causation for the health outcomes.
In a related editor’s note, JAMA internal medicine deputy editor Mitchell Katz, writes: ‘Health care professionals can help by creating environments that are inclusive and supportive of sexual minority patients.
‘As with discussion of other personal issues, such as religious beliefs or sexual function, the important thing is to ask open-ended questions that do not prejudge responses.
‘For example, asking a new patient whether he or she has sex with men, women or both indicates openness and acceptance.
‘Whatever the answer, following up by asking of the patient has a special partner shows interest and willingness to discuss intimate issues. In caring for people who have experienced bias and discrimination, support is a very potent medicine.’
The findings are published by JAMA Internal Medicine.
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