A profile of north Carolina lesbian, gay, and bisexual health disparities, 2011

D.D. Matthews and J.G.L. Lee

American Journal of Public Health, 2014, vol. 104, issue 6, e98-e105

Abstract: Objectives. We investigated the health profile of lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) adults in North Carolina, the first state in the South to include a measure of sexual orientation identity in a probability-based statewide health survey. Methods. Using data from 9876 respondents in the 2011 North Carolina Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey, we compared sexual minorities to heterosexuals on a variety of health indicators. Results. LGB respondents were younger and more likely to be reached by cell phone. Many examined indicators were not different by sexual orientation. Significant results, however, were consistent with findings from state population surveys in other regions of the country, including disparities inmental health and, among women, smoking. Conclusions. Reporting LGB identity in North Carolina is associated with poorer health. The concentration of anti-LGB policies in the South warrants ongoing monitoring of LGB health disparities in North Carolina and in other Southeastern states for potential effects on the health and well-being of LGB populations.

Keywords: adolescent; adult; aged; article; behavioral risk factor surveillance system; bisexuality; female; health disparity; human; lesbianism; male; male homosexuality; mental disease; middle aged; policy; smoking; statistics; United States; young adult, Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System; Bisexuality; Female; Health Status Disparities; Homosexuality, Female; Homosexuality, Male; Humans; Male; Mental Disorders; Middle Aged; North Carolina; Public Policy; Smoking; Young Adult (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2014
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:aph:ajpbhl:10.2105/ajph.2013.301751_7

DOI: 10.2105/AJPH.2013.301751

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