Overview of Health Disparities Affecting Gay and Bisexual Men in the United States

Gay and bisexual men in the United States experience stigma and discrimination that have the potential to negatively affect their physical and mental health. This presentation summarizes the findings of a newly completed series of systematic reviews that document health disparities experienced by gay and bisexual men. Evidence of disparities in the following areas will be summarized: mental health, violent victimization; childhood sexual abuse; alcohol, tobacco, and drug use; HIV; hepatitis; and other sexually transmitted infections. Although the health problems experienced by gay and bisexual men each have unique determinants, it is important to consider these problems within existing health disparities frameworks that have been used to understand health inequities experienced by racial/ethnic minorities and other groups. Some, if not all, of the health problems experienced by gay and bisexual men are likely influenced by cross-cutting factors that contribute to health disparities. These factors include: (1) socioeconomic status, (2) the effects of prejudice and discrimination, (3) laws and policies that affect health, health behavior, and access to health care, and (4) individual behavior and cultural norms within the gay community. These influences may combine with other sources of stigma and discrimination that are experienced by some subgroups of gay and bisexual men (such as racial/ethnic minorities, adolescents/young men, and older men), which further increases the prevention and medical needs of these particularly vulnerable subgroups. The implications of these findings for future research and public health efforts to eliminate health disparities will be discussed.