The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #61001

Heather L. Corliss, MPH¹, Michael D. Shankle, MPH², and Matthew Moyer, MPH². (1) Epidemiology, UCLA School of Public Health, 650 Charles Young Drive, UCLA School of Public Health, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1772, (2) Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, 3520 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213

Background: APHA policy urges educational, research, and funding institutions to improve their capacity to respond to the health disparities of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) population. Little is known about how LGBT health issues are covered in U.S. schools of public health. We conducted a survey to determine the extent to which public health schools focus on LGBT health issues through research, planned curricula, and additional resources. Methods: A questionnaire was mailed to the chairpersons of departments/divisions within U.S. schools of public health (N=193). Results: Approximately one-third of the departments that responded report that at least one faculty member is conducting HIV/AIDS-related LGBT research; 20% report that at least one faculty member is conducting LGBT research not related to HIV/AIDS. Although about 20% of the departments indicate that at least one student in their department is currently conducting LGBT-related research, only 10% note that any students have ever conducted a doctoral dissertation related to LGBT health. Furthermore, less than 10% of the departments offered in the past two years a graduate-level course that emphasized LGBT health. Only 1/3 of respondents believe their department’s curricula adequately cover LGBT health. Conclusions: Findings suggest that public health schools do not address LGBT health issues comprehensively even though Healthy People 2010 has identified the LGBT community as a vulnerable population. Schools ought to expand coverage of LGBT health in research and curricula to assist the public health profession in responding more effectively to the needs of the LGBT population.

Learning Objectives:

• Describe the status of LGBT-related health research and curricula in U.S. schools of public health.
• Identify other key indicators related to LGBT issues in schools of public health.
• Recognize the importance of increasing research and educational activities related to LGBT health in schools of public health.

Keywords: Public Health Research, Public Health Curricula

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.