LGBT health
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The purpose of this study was to assess trends in alcohol-related disparities between heterosexual and sexual minority adolescents in the United States from 2007 to 2015. ⋯ Despite overall declines in adolescent alcohol use, alcohol-related disparities between heterosexual youth and SMY persist and, for some SMY, they have widened.
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Optimal HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) scale-up in the United States requires prescribing by primary care providers (PCPs). We assessed barriers to patients obtaining PrEP from their PCPs. ⋯ During initial PrEP implementation, ID specialists can play an important role in providing education and linking PrEP patients to PCPs. However, PCPs may need additional training about PrEP and how to provide culturally sensitive sexual healthcare, if widespread scale-up is to be effective in decreasing HIV incidence.
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This study examines the associations between discrimination experiences (types and locations) and care postponement among trans-feminine individuals in the United States. ⋯ To promote preventive care-seeking, these results affirm the importance of interventions that promote discrimination-free environments for gender minorities.
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Sexual minority men (SMM) are at greater risk than heterosexual men for misusing prescription psychotropic medications. However, community prevalence estimates of prescription drug misuse among young SMM are lacking. The current study described lifetime and past-6-month stimulant, painkiller, and depressant/tranquilizer misuse in a large, racially diverse sample of 967 SMM aged 16-29 in Chicago, Illinois, and investigated demographic and other substance use associations. ⋯ These results provide critical information on a growing public health problem among young SMM. Future research should explore why differential rates of misuse exist across subgroups. New interventions emphasizing the risk of prescription drugs, discouraging drug sharing, and bolstering refusal and coping skills should be developed and evaluated.
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This study aimed to characterize the sociodemographic characteristics of sexual minority (i.e., gay, lesbian, bisexual) adults and compare sexual minority and heterosexual populations on nine Healthy People 2020 leading health indicators (LHIs). ⋯ Differences between sexual minorities and heterosexuals suggest the need for targeted health assessments and public health interventions aimed at reducing specific negative health behaviors.