The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

3319.0: Monday, November 11, 2002 - Board 4

Abstract #41693

Health risk behaviors of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender college students in the United States

Lisa L. Lindley, DrPH1, Molly B. Kerby, MS2, Thomas Nicholson, PhD2, and Ning Lu, PhD, MPH3. (1) Assistant Professor, Department of Public Health, Western Kentucky University, 1 Big Red Way, Bowling Green, KY 42101, 270-745-5870, lisa.lindley@wku.edu, (2) Public Health, Western Kentucky University, Western Kentucky University, One Big Red Way, Bowling Green, KY 42101-3576, (3) Department of Public Health, Western Kentucky University, 1 Big Red Way, Bowling Green, KY 42101-3576

The National Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Questioning (LGBTQ) College Student Survey is an Internet study designed to examine health risk behaviors and developmental assets of self-identified LGBTQ college students in the United States. It is one of the first online surveys designed to examine the health of these students on a national level. Informational packets containing a letter of invitation to participate in the survey, as well as flyers and postcards containing the survey's website address, were mailed to over 135 LGBT college student organizations and resource centers across the country. Faculty advisors and officers were asked to distribute the flyers and postcards to students in their organization, create a link to the survey from their organization's website, and encourage student participation in the online survey. Survey data were obtained from over 700 LGBTQ college students during the 2001-2002 academic year. During this session, an overview of LGBTQ college students' health risk behaviors related to alcohol, tobacco and other drug use, exercise, weight loss/control, suicide ideation, and sexuality will be provided. The project's research methodology and descriptive information regarding survey participants, including age of awareness of sexual orientation/identity, availability of campus and community LGBT resources, and participation in the LGBT community will be discussed. Results may be used to educate teachers, health care providers, and social service professionals about the health risk behaviors of LGBTQ college students and assist in the development of programs and services for these youth.

Learning Objectives: At the end of the session, the participant will be able to

Keywords: College Students, Health Behavior

Related Web page: www.lgbt-css.org

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
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.

LGBT Caucus Poster Session

The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA