142nd APHA Annual Meeting and Exposition

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310466
Disparities in Health Conditions among Lesbian and Bisexual Women: A Systematic Review of Population-Based Studies

142nd APHA Annual Meeting and Exposition (November 15 - November 19, 2014): http://www.apha.org/events-and-meetings/annual
Monday, November 17, 2014

Jane Simoni, Ph.D.
Laramie Smith
Kathryn Oost, BA , Department of Psychology, University of Montana, Missoula, MT
Keren Lehavot
Karen Fredriksen-Goldsen, PhD , Social Work, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
Objectives: Research on health disparities among sexual minority women (SMW) has been limited by small, convenience samples and a focus on mental health. We conducted a systematic review of the literature to document evidence of disparities for SMW across a range of physical health conditions.

Methods:  We searched PubMed for population-based, peer-reviewed, English-language studies published 3/2009 – 6/2013 that statistically examined at least one of nine key physical health conditions among predominantly adult women by sexual orientation--i.e., heterosexual women versus (a) lesbians, (b) bisexual women, or (c) lesbians and bisexual women combined.

Results: Evidence of disparities as indicated by significant, adjusted odds ratios from k = 11 studies selected from 1,826 citations was strongest for asthma (5 of 7 comparisons indicated a disparity for SMW), obesity (8 of 12), arthritis (2 of 3), and general physical health (4 of 7). The one comparison for CVD showed evidence of disparity. Findings were weaker for high cholesterol (0 of 3), diabetes and hypertension (both 1 of 5) and cancer (1 of 4).

Conclusions: SMW disparities appear to vary by physical condition and merit further research to identify better estimates and likely mechanisms.

Learning Areas:

Diversity and culture
Public health or related education
Public health or related research

Learning Objectives:
Compare physical health conditions impacting sexual minority women with heterosexual women Name the physical health disparities impacting sexual minority women

Keyword(s): Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT), Women's Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am a PhD student in clinical psychology who specializes in sexual minority health. I have been a PI and co-investigator on several different peer-reviewed journal articles and conference presentations focusing on sexual minority health.
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.

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