How to Close the LGBT Health Disparities Gap

December 23, 2009 05:25

How to Close the LGBT Health Disparities Gap
Source: Center for American Progress

Our health system is failing miserably to address LGBT health disparities and needs across the United States. The limited data that does exist has proven valuable in identifying the most troublesome health disparities. A new study of this data by the Center for American Progress found some staggering trends in the rates at which LGBT populations experience mental and physical health problems:

+ Adults

• LGB adults are twice as likely to experience psychological distress as their straight counterparts.
• LGB adults are more than twice as likely to need medication to treat emotional health issues.
• Transgender adults are 25 times more likely to have suicidal ideations than heterosexuals and 10 times more likely than lesbian, gay, or bisexual adults—who already suffer from elevated risk levels.
• Only one-third of African-American lesbians have received a mammogram in the past two years¾the lowest screening rate of all demographic groups.

+ Youths

• LGB youth are three-and-a-half times more likely to attempt suicide, and many health experts would argue that the rate for transgender youth is probably much higher than it is for their adult counterparts.
• LGBT youth are nearly four times as likely to be threatened or injured with a weapon in school than their heterosexual peers.
• LGBT youths are three times more likely to be in physical fights that require medical treatment.

+ Full Report

Category:

• Gender and sexuality
• Health and healthcare
• Mental health and substance abuse
• Social and cultural issues

Source:

• Center for American Progress