Health Inequities among Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Adults in North Carolina, 2011–2014

ECU Author/Contributor (non-ECU co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)

Melissa M. Barnhill (Creator)

Joseph G. L. Lee (Creator)

Ann P. Rafferty (Creator)

Institution

East Carolina University (ECU )

Web Site: http://www.ecu.edu/lib/

Abstract: Inequalities in health have been identified for lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) populations\r\nnationally. Policies in the U.S. South offer fewer protections for LGB people than in other regions, yet,\r\nlimited data exist for this region. North Carolina (NC) BRFSS data from 2011 to 2014 were combined\r\n(LGB n = 604\; heterosexual n = 33,170) and analyzed using SAS survey procedures to estimate health\r\ncharacteristics by sexual orientation within gender. Many examined indicators were not different\r\nby sexual orientation, however, other results were significant and consistent with findings from\r\nstate population surveys in other regions of the country. Both genders showed inequities in mental\r\nhealth, having over twice the odds of five or more poor mental health days in the past month and\r\nof having ever been diagnosed with a depressive disorder. Sexual minority women had higher\r\nodds compared with heterosexual women for ever having smoked cigarettes, current smoking,\r\nexposure to secondhand smoke both in the workplace and at home, and both alcohol risk factors,\r\nbinge and heavy drinking. Being part of the LGB population in NC is associated with worse health.\r\nThe implementation of anti-LGB policies in the NC warrants ongoing monitoring of LGB health\r\ninequities in NC and in other southeastern states for potential effects on the health and well-being of\r\nsexual minorities.

Additional Information

Publication

Other

Barnhill, M. M., Lee, J. G. L., and Rafferty, A. P. (2017). Health Inequities among Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Adults in North Carolina, 2011–2014. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 14(8). DOI:10.3390/ijerph14080835.

Language: English

Date: 2023

Subjects

health disparities;Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System;public health surveillance;homosexuality;sexual minority

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