title: Multisystem factors contributing to disparities in preventive health care among lesbian women.
abstract: Lesbians experience significant health disparities in preventive care utilization and health outcomes compared to heterosexual women. In this study, a multisystems ecologic approach is taken to identify barriers to access, treatment, and preventive care among lesbian women. Recommendations include increasing knowledge of lesbian health care needs, developing cultural sensitivity and competence in communication and care for lesbian women, and creating practice environments that convey respect, acceptance, and welcome to all women, regardless of sexual orientation.
authors.affiliation: Center for Health Disparities Research, University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, Philadelphia 19104-6096, USA. khutchin@nursing.upenn.edu
authors.forename: M K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Hutchinson
authors.forename: Angela C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Thompson
authors.forename: Julie A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Cederbaum
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000458:organization & administration; D018452:Homosexuality, Female; D006801:Humans; D011314:Preventive Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D014481:United States; D016387:Women's Health; D014932:Women's Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*