Sexual Orientation and Health: Comparisons in the Women's Health Initiative Sample

• DOI: 10.1001/archfami.9.9.843
• Publication Date: 2003-03-18T19:08:55Z
• Authors: B. G. Valanis
• Keywords: Women's Health Initiative

Little is known about older lesbian and bisexual women. Existing research rarely compares characteristics of these women with comparable heterosexual women.To compare nonheterosexual 50 to 79 years on specific demographic characteristics, psychosocial risk factors, screening practices, other health-related behaviors associated increased for developing particular diseases or disease outcomes.Analysis data from 93,311 participants in the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) study health postmenopausal women, comparing 5 groups: heterosexuals, bisexuals, lifetime lesbians, adult those who never had sex as an adult.Subjects were recruited at 40 WHI centers nationwide representing a range geographic ethnic diversity.Postmenopausal aged met eligibility criteria, signed informed consent participate clinical trial(s) observational study, responded baseline questions sexual orientation.Demographic recency tests, assessed questionnaire.Although higher socioeconomic status than more often used alcohol cigarettes, exhibited factors reproductive cancers cardiovascular disease, scored lower measures mental social support. Notable 35% lesbians 81% have been pregnant. Women reporting that they rates Papanicolaou hormone replacement therapy use groups.This sample shows many same behaviors, demographic, reported literature their younger counterparts, despite access care. The recommended services prevalence obesity, smoking, use, intake fruit vegetables among compared indicate unmet needs require effective interactions between care providers