A profile of North Carolina lesbian, gay, and bisexual health disparities, 2011.
OBJECTIVE
We investigated the health profile of lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) adults in North Carolina, the first state in the South to include a measure of sexual orientation identity in a probability-based statewide health survey.


METHODS
Using data from 9876 respondents in the 2011 North Carolina Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey, we compared sexual minorities to heterosexuals on a variety of health indicators.


RESULTS
LGB respondents were younger and more likely to be reached by cell phone. Many examined indicators were not different by sexual orientation. Significant results, however, were consistent with findings from state population surveys in other regions of the country, including disparities in mental health and, among women, smoking.


CONCLUSIONS
Reporting LGB identity in North Carolina is associated with poorer health. The concentration of anti-LGB policies in the South warrants ongoing monitoring of LGB health disparities in North Carolina and in other Southeastern states for potential effects on the health and well-being of LGB populations.
At the time of this study, Derrick D. Matthews and Joseph G. L. Lee were with the Department of Health Behavior, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.
Derrick D
DD
Matthews
Joseph G L
JG
Lee
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D040343:Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System; D001727:Bisexuality / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D054624:Health Status Disparities; D018452:Homosexuality, Female / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D018451:Homosexuality, Male / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009657:North Carolina / Q000453:epidemiology; D011640:Public Policy; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult