title: Sexual orientation and sex differences in adult chronic conditions, health risk factors, and protective health practices, Oregon, 2005-2008.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Research on lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) individuals' health and health practices has primarily consisted of convenience studies focused on HIV/AIDS, substance use, or mental illness. We examined health-related disparities among Oregon LGB men and women compared with heterosexual men and women using data from a population-based survey.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data from the 2005 through 2008 Oregon Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System were used to examine associations between sexual orientation and chronic conditions, health limitations, health risk factors, and protective health practices.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Compared with heterosexual women, lesbian and bisexual women were significantly more likely to smoke cigarettes, be obese, binge drink, and have chronic conditions, and less likely to engage in protective health practices. Compared with heterosexual men, gay men were significantly less likely to be obese, more likely to binge drink, and more likely to engage in protective health practices. Compared with heterosexual men, bisexual men were significantly more likely to have a physical disability, smoke cigarettes, binge drink, and more likely to get an HIV test.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Health disparities among Oregon LGB individuals were most prominent among lesbian and bisexual women. Gay men had the most protective health practices, but they were more likely than heterosexual men to engage in risky behaviors that lead to chronic diseases later in life. Targeted public health interventions should be provided in environments that avoid stigmatizing and discriminating against LGB individuals where they live, work, learn, and socialize.
authors.affiliation: Oregon Health Authority, Oregon Public Health Division, 800 NE Oregon St, Suite 730, Portland OR 97232. E-mail: rodney.garland@state.or.us.
authors.forename: Rodney Y
authors.initials: RY
authors.lastname: Garland-Forshee
authors.affiliation: Oregon Health Authority, Portland, Oregon.
authors.forename: Steven C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Fiala
authors.affiliation: Oregon Health Authority, Portland, Oregon.
authors.forename: Duyen L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Ngo
authors.affiliation: Oregon Health Authority, Portland, Oregon.
authors.forename: Katarina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Moseley
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D040343:Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System; D063425:Binge Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology; D001727:Bisexuality / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D054624:Health Status Disparities; D020010:Heterosexuality / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006716:Homosexuality / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology; D009922:Oregon; D011159:Population Surveillance; D065840:Protective Factors; D011634:Public Health; D012307:Risk Factors; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
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