Chronic Physical Health Problems in Sexual Minority Women: Review of the Literature

LGBT Health
Michele J Eliason

Abstract

Although there is substantial literature about sexual minority women's mental health and use of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs (ATOD), only recently has attention been focused on chronic physical health disorders thought to stem from stress and exposure to ATOD use. The most extensively studied aspect of physical health has been weight, with the majority of studies reporting higher prevalence of overweight and obesity. In addition, many studies report higher levels of stressful experiences in both childhood and adulthood for sexual minority women. In this paper, the hypothesized relationship between stress, unhealthy behaviors, and five common chronic physical health disorders is explored via review of the literature. Only asthma appeared to be consistently more common in sexual minority women, and few or no differences in diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and most cancers were found. The limitations of these studies are reviewed, and the need for studies that directly address the relationships among stress, health-damaging practices, and chronic disorder is emphasized. However, if these findings hold up, and sexual minority women are not more prone to these disorders, the field may need better theoretical fram...Continue Reading

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Citations

Jan 9, 2015·Journal of Homosexuality·Michele J Eliason, Sarah C Fogel
Mar 10, 2015·Women's Health Issues : Official Publication of the Jacobs Institute of Women's Health·Michele J EliasonSuzanne Haynes
Jul 12, 2016·Women's Health Issues : Official Publication of the Jacobs Institute of Women's Health·Jane A McElroyAlexandra M Minnis
Feb 8, 2019·Health Care for Women International·Piper Liping Liu, Tien Ee Dominic Yeo
Sep 26, 2014·Social Work in Health Care·Ronda L Dearing, Amy L Hequembourg
Nov 24, 2018·Women's Health Issues : Official Publication of the Jacobs Institute of Women's Health·Gilbert GonzalesLaura Attanasio
Mar 7, 2021·International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health·Ssirai Kim, Smi Choi-Kwon
Aug 12, 2021·Women's Health Issues : Official Publication of the Jacobs Institute of Women's Health·Maya N L Taylor, Gilbert Gonzales

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