257667 California Health Interview Survey: Population-based LGB health data for California

Wednesday, October 31, 2012 : 9:00 AM - 9:15 AM

David Grant, PhD , California Health Interview Survey, UCLA Center for Health Policy Research, Los Angeles, CA
Background. Representative health data that can identify LGB populations is critical to better understanding and improving health in the LGB community. Population-based health surveys, however, rarely collect information on sexual orientation and sexual behaviors, limiting evidence-based research, policy, and advocacy efforts. The California Health Interview Survey (CHIS) is exceptional, in this regard, and a model for other health surveys.

Objectives. To examine the LGB content, sample and estimates produced from CHIS, and the multiple ways the data have been used for research, policy, and advocacy efforts in California.

Methods. CHIS LGB samples and estimates are presented and compared from all publicly available CHIS cycles (2001 through 2009). Demographic characteristics and co-variates of the LGB population are described, including health conditions, health behaviors, and healthcare access. The CHIS dissemination strategy is discussed; it includes providing data and information in multiple formats for different audiences through data files, data query tools, and publications. A summary of peer-review LGB publications, advocacy, and policy efforts based on CHIS data is presented.

Results. The available evidence suggests that CHIS is a valuable source of LGB health data and that questions on sexual orientation and behaviors can be successfully collected in an omnibus, multi-lingual telephone survey. More than a dozen LGB focused peer-review journal articles have been published using CHIS data.

Conclusions. Population-based health data that include questions to identify sexual orientation and behaviors are critical to understand and improve LBG health. Such data form the foundation for evidence-based research, policy, and advocacy efforts.

Learning Areas:
Communication and informatics
Diversity and culture
Public health or related public policy
Public health or related research

Learning Objectives:
1. Describe the importance of population-based LGB health data and the diverse sample collected across multiple California Health Interview Survey (CHIS) cycles. 2. Understand the methods and questions used to collect LGB information in CHIS. 3. Learn the multiple ways that CHIS LGB data and information are available and disseminated. 4. Identify the many ways that CHIS data have been used for research, policy, and advocacy efforts.

Keywords: Gay, Data/Surveillance

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am the director of the California Health Interview Survey (CHIS). In this role, I oversee survey research projects and work both with researchers and data collection vendors. CHIS is the largest state health survey ever conducted in the United States. Previously, I was an assistant professor of Sociology at Cleveland State University and a Survey Research Manager at the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA).
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.