Everything You Need to Know About LGBT Health
Top health concerns that LGBT people face.
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What Are the Pressing Issues? - June is Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Pride Month! This month is to reflect on the great contributions and shed light on the issues that our Black LGBT community is dealing with. From HIV to depression to violence, here’s a list of health concerns that they are facing. — Kellee Terrell (@kelleent) (Photo: Sandy Huffaker/Getty Images)
Photo By Photo: Sandy Huffaker/Getty Images
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How We Are Similar, How We Are Different - The LGBT community is a diverse group of people who suffer from many of the same illnesses that straight folks do. From obesity to heart disease to cancer to domestic violence, we all experience these issues. But there are some factors that place the LGBT community at a higher risk for certain illnesses and diseases. (Photo: Jose Luis Pelaez Inc/Getty Images)
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HIV/AIDS - Black men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender folks are at an increased at risk for contracting HIV/AIDS. Young MSM have some of the highest HIV rates in the U.S., making up 27 percent of all new HIV infections among Americans. Also, according to the CDC, Black transgender women have the highest HIV diagnosis among all trans women. (Photo: REUTERS /MIKE SEGAR /LANDOV)
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Depression and Mental Health Issues - Whether it’s homophobia, family rejection, bullying or isolation, Black LGBT folks are definitely prone to mental health issues. As a whole, the LGBT community has higher rates of depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts and substance abuse. A 2010 study found that one-third of LGBT youth suffers from a mental illness such as PTSD. (Photo: Thinkstock Images/Getty Images)
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LGBT Bullying - A past GLSEN report found that kids of color are more vulnerable and impacted by racial and LGBT bullying. More than 75 percent were called “f----t” and “d--e” on a regular basis; more than 70 percent heard sexist remarks; and almost 50 percent heard racist remarks at school. (Photo: Digital Vision/Getty Images)
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HPV and Cervical Cancer - HPV is still a factor for lesbian and bisexual women, especially those who have had sex with men in the past. Given the lack of access to health care and well-woman visits, plus the fact that Black women are more likely to die from cervical cancer, Black lesbians and bisexual women still need to get Pap smears and monitor their cervical health. (Photo: BSIP/UIG Via Getty Images)
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Alcohol and Drug Abuse - It’s estimated that 20-30 percent of the LGBT community is dependent on some type of substance compared to 9 percent of the general population. Also, LGBT folks smoke up to 200 percent more than straight folks; 25 percent of LGBT folks abuse alcohol; and gay men are 9.5 times more likely to use heroin. (Photo by: BSIP/UIG via Getty Images)
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STDs - STDs are a growing issue among Black MSM and the trans community —from syphilis to gonorrhea to chlamydia. And when undiagnosed and untreated, STDs can make people even more vulnerable to HIV infection. Bisexual women and lesbians can get STDs, too. Everyone needs to get tested regularly. (Photo: Andersen Ross/Getty Images)
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Sexual Assault and Sexual Abuse - Rape and past sexual abuse is very common among the LGBT community. A 2012 study found that bisexual women were 5.3 times more likely and lesbian women were 3.4 times more likely to experience childhood sexual abuse compared to heterosexual women. Also, gay men were 9.5 times more likely and bisexual men were 12.8 times more likely to experience this abuse. (Photo: drbimages/GettyImages)