Healthy People 2010 (HP2010) outlines the health goals for the Nation over the next 10 years and serves as a benchmark for community-based program planning. Since substance abuse is pervasive and affects all populations, youth to elderly, it is a focal area of Healthy People 2010. Although no national data are currently available for all LGBT people, substance abuse is a significant concern to LGBT health as a review of the literature suggests that lesbians and gay men may be at increased risk. Much less is known about the bisexual and transgender communities. Like the general population in the United States, substance abuse in the LGBT community is associated with a myriad of public health challenges, including HIV/AIDS, sexually transmitted diseases, violence (including acts committrf by and against the LGBT community), and chronic conditions such as cirrhosis of the liver. The Federal government's Health and Human Services Administration (HRSA) providing funding to the Gay and Lesbian Medical Association (GLMA) for the purpose of developing a companion document to HP2010 to examine existing information on LGBT health. HRSA and GLMA contacted close to 200 organizations and people associated with those organizations, especially community-based LGBT centers and health clinics, to participate in the writing and dissemination of this noteworthy document. This companion document may ultimately prove to be the most significant step in ensuring that LGBT health issues, especially substance abuse, are firmly embedded within the Nation's health care agenda. See www.glma,org
Learning Objectives: 1) Describe the Healthy People 2010 Companion Document for LGBT Health; 2) Understand why LGBT people may be at increased risk for substance abuse; and 3) Analyze the recommendations for substance abuse in the Healthy People 2010 Companion Document for LGBT Health
Keywords: Drug Abuse, Healthy People 2000/2010
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.