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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
Michael D. Shankle, MPH, Department of Infectious Diseases and Microbiology; Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, 3520 Fifth Avenue, Suite 400, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, 412.383.2612, shankle@stophiv.pitt.edu and Rodger L. Beatty, PhD,, LSW, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, 3520 Fifth Avenue, Suite 400, Pittsburgh, PA 15213-3313.
It is estimated that by the year 2030, the proportion of people over the age of 65 in this country will almost double. It has also been estimated that 3% to 10% of the population is gay or lesbian. This surge in the population of "older" individuals has prompted a significant research growth focusing on the needs of the aging population in general; however, it has neglected the needs of the older LGBT population. Substance abuse has long been identified as a public health concern for the LGBT community. What does research really tell us about substance abuse and the older LGBT community?
Primarily, the needs and life issues of older LGBT individuals will be explored in the framework of substance abuse. A secondary emphasis of this presentation is to introduce participants to the older LGBT population and how developmental and life style issues contribute to and may hinder one’s ability to explore this population. The presentation will present a review of the literature and findings yielded by discussions with experts on aging. At the conclusion of this presentation, participants will be able to: 1) identify what is known and unknown about aging LGBT individuals and substance abuse; 2) dispel myths regarding older LGBT persons related to substance abuse; 3) provided a contextual framework to better understand life cycles and developmental issues related to substance abuse in the older LGBT population; and 4) recognize the deficiencies in the area of older LGBT substance abuse research and services.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this presentation, participants will be able to
Keywords: Elderly, Gay
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.