Anthony J. Silvestre, PhD, LSW¹, Emilia Lombardi, PhD¹, Janine E. Janosky, PhD², Gregory Fisher³, and Charles Rinaldo, PhD¹. (1) Graduate School of Public Health, Dept. of Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, University of Pittsburgh, 3520 Fifth Avenue, Suite 400, Pittsburgh, PA 15213-3313, 412-383-2233, emilial@stophiv.pitt.edu, (2) Department of Family Medicine and Clinical Epidemiology, University of Pittsburgh, FMED 100 Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, (3) Pennsylvania Prevention Project, University of Pittsburgh, 3520 Fifth Avenue, Suite 400, Pittsburgh, PA 15213

Researchers are not sufficiently aware of the impact of sexual orientation on health outcomes. Smoking tobacco is a major factor for increased chronic disease among people as they age. During the past 10 years, there has been a growing awareness that gay men are more likely to smoke then their straight counterparts. Information about gay men’s smoking patterns prior to the establishment of current anti-tobacco and LGBT health movements is rare. In addition, data on the health impact of smoking on gay men as they age are not available. The Pitt Men's Study is a confidential HIV/AIDS research study that has been ongoing in Pittsburgh for the past 20 years, and is part of the Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study (MACS). A sample of 731 HIV negative men between the ages of 18 and 70 were enrolled in Pittsburgh in 1984/85 and seen continually for 20 years. Tobacco use data were collected in addition to other behavioral and physical health measures. Utilizing baseline data, approximately 63% of the sample reported ever smoking and 42% reported currently smoking (compared to 33% of the general male population in 1985 who currently smoked [data from CDC]). Associations between tobacco use and behavioral and physical health markers will be presented. This information will enable health care professionals to have better knowledge of a group of men who will be accessing health care services more as they age.

Learning Objectives:

• Examine the smoking behavior of gay men prior to current tobacco control and LGBT health movements.
• Examine the association between smoking and objective health measures like blood pressure and weight as well as health behaviors.
• Understand what the health needs of HIV negative gay men are.

Keywords: Tobacco, Gay Men

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.