Oral

In 1999, the Institute of Medicine reported that the U.S. health care system did not adequately serve the lesbian population and strongly recommended research to be done to determine the absolute and relative magnitudes of risks and protective factors, which impact lesbian health. Pilot projects funded by the Lesbian Health Fund of the Gay and Lesbian Medical Association (GLMA) and mentored by the Lesbian Health and Research Center at the University of California at San Francisco (UCSF) provided the impetus for additional funded research to identify and differentiate risk factors associated with certain diseases and health behaviors among lesbian compared to heterosexual women. In February 2010, Lesbian Health 101: A Clinician’s Guide, was published by UCSF. This book —the first of its kind— written by lesbian researchers and clinicians in the US represents an interdisciplinary approach to addressing lesbian health issues through the life cycle. This scientific session, “Best Practices in Lesbian Health,” moderated by co-editor Patricia A. Robertson, MD, will focus upon smoking, obesity, and depression among lesbians. The panelists will identify future research/action plans and strategies for motivating the lesbian community to get involved in improvement of their health. Attendee participation will be encouraged.

Session Objectives: 1. Differentiate the health issues of lesbian women from health issues of heterosexual women. 2. Formulate a course of action for targeting relevant health issues while considering cultural issues in the lesbian community. 3. Identify how social marketing within the lesbian community can impact lesbian health.

CE Credits: Medical (CME), Health Education (CHES), Nursing (CNE), Public Health (CPH)