Lesbian and Bisexual Women
Lesbian and bisexual women have many of the same health concerns as
women who are not lesbian or bisexual. For example, all women should maintain a healthy diet
and body weight, exercise regularly, limit alcohol consumption, and avoid
exposure to cigarette smoke. These actions can reduce a woman's risk for
heart disease, the leading cause of death for women in America.
Many other
recommendations for health promoting behaviors, such as wearing a
seatbelt, washing hands, and getting screened for diseases regularly,
apply to all women, though it is questioned whether lesbian and bisexual
women are exposed to health promoting messages at the same rates as their
peers who are not lesbian or bisexual.
However, it is important for lesbian and bisexual women to be aware
that they are more likely to
experience certain adverse health outcomes. Studies demonstrate that lesbian
and bisexual women have higher rates of heavy drinking and obesity and are
less likely to seek routine breast and cervical cancer screening than
other women.
In Wisconsin, evidence indicates that LGBT adults have
poorer health outcomes in violence/safety, alcohol use, and mental health.
For example, when compared to their non-LGBT peers, LGBT people
are twice times as likely to binge drink, 6 times as likely to be afraid
for their safety, and 7 times as likely to have felt depressed in the past
30 days.
The following selection of resources is intended to increase awareness
of health issues and disparities affecting lesbian and bisexual women. Use
the left side navigation bar to learn more about any of the health
concerns addressed below.
All external hyperlinks are provided for your information and for the
benefit of the general public. The Department of Health Services does not
testify to, sponsor, or endorse the accuracy of the information provided
on externally linked pages.
Hyperlinks marked with the 
icon indicate Wisconsin resources.
GENERAL RESOURCES
Health information
for lesbian and bisexual women
Description: CDC's webpage on general health concerns among lesbian
woman
Resource availability: Internet
Ten
Things Lesbians Should discuss with Their Healthcare Provider
Description: Guidelines for communication published by the Gay and
Lesbian Medical Association
Resource availability: Internet
See all General Resources
ALCOHOL AND DRUGS
Alcohol
abuse, addiction, and treatment
Description: Information on alcohol abuse, addiction, and
treatment, including links to other resources, published by the Wisconsin
DHS
Resource availability: Internet
Alcohol
addiction
Description: Symptoms of alcohol addiction and statistics about
alcohol use among LGBT people published by the Pride Institute
Resource availability: Minneapolis, Minnesota and Fort Lauderdale,
Florida, Internet
Drug
abuse
Description: Symptoms of drug abuse and statistics about drug use
among LGBT people published by the Pride Institute
Resource availability: Minneapolis, Minnesota; Fort Lauderdale,
Florida; Internet
Pride Institute
Description: LGBT drug and alcohol addiction treatment center
Resource availability: Minneapolis, Minnesota and Fort Lauderdale,
Florida
CANCER
Cancer
facts for lesbian and bisexual women
Description: Information on risk, prevention, and detection of lung,
skin, colon, breast, and gynecological cancers among lesbian and bisexual
women; published by the American Cancer Society
Resource availability: Internet
Mautner Project
Description: The Mautner Project is committed to improving the
health of women who partner with women including lesbian, bisexual and
transgender individuals, through direct and support service, education
advocacy.
Resource availability: Internet
National LGBT Cancer
Network
Description: Information on population specific cancer risks, optional
electronic screening reminder
Resource availability: Internet
National LGBT Cancer Project
Description: National nonprofit LGBT organization providing cancer
survivor support and advocacy services.
Resource availability: Internet
Out With Cancer
Description: Cancer information and social network for LGBT persons
diagnosed with cancer.
Resource availability: Internet
Promoting Cervical Cancer Screening Among Lesbian and Bisexual Women
Description: Policy paper from the Fenway Institute addressing
the importance of cervical cancer screening for lesbian and bisexual
women.
Resource availability: Internet
Wisconsin
Well Woman Program
Description: The Wisconsin Well Woman Program provides
preventive health screening services to women with little or no health
insurance coverage.
Resource availability: Internet
HIV/AIDS
AIDS Network
Description: Legal, life care, prevention, and support group
information for people living with AIDS
Resource availability: South Central Wisconsin
AIDS Resource Center of Wisconsin
Description: Medical center, social services, and prevention
programs
Resource availability: Wisconsin
Wisconsin
HIV/STD/Hepatitis C Information and Referral Center
Description: Fact sheets, testing referrals, and external links
Resource availability: Internet
MENTAL HEALTH
Anxiety
disorders in LGBT populations
Description: Information on anxiety disorders in LGBT populations
published by the Pride Institute
Resource availability: Minneapolis, Minnesota; Fort Lauderdale,
Florida; Internet
Depression
in LGBT populations
Description: Information on depression in LGBT populations published
by the Pride Institute
Resource availability: Minneapolis, Minnesota; Fort Lauderdale,
Florida; and Internet
National
Suicide Prevention Lifeline
Description: A 24-hour, toll-free, confidential suicide prevention
hotline available to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress.
Resource availability: Internet & toll-free hotline:
1-800-273-TALK [8255]
SEXUAL HEALTH
STDs in
Lesbian Populations
Description: Information on STDs in lesbian populations published by
the University of Washington, Seattle
Resource availability: Internet
Wisconsin HIV/STD/Hepatitis
C Information and Referral Center
Description: Information and service finder for STD diagnosis and
treatment
Resource availability: Wisconsin
TOBACCO
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention -- Tips from Former Smokers
Description: Real stories of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT)
people who are suffering from smoking-related diseases and disabilities.
Resource availability: Internet
National LGBT Tobacco Control
Network
Description: Quit strategies and resources, outreach information,
statistics, and scientific literature
Resource availability: Internet
rm2Breathe
Description: State-wide anti-tobacco program for lesbian, gay,
bisexual, and transgender people, coordinated by Diverse and Resilient
Resource availability: Wisconsin
VIOLENCE/SAFETY
AARDVARC (An
Abuse, Rape and Domestic Violence Aid and Resource Collection)
Description: Information on domestic violence in gay and lesbian
relationships, including state laws and how to recognizing and reacting to
abuse and locate resources
Resource Availability: Internet
Anti-Violence
Project
Description: Victim advocacy, community outreach, and service provider
education program at the Milwaukee LGBT Community Center
Resource availability: Milwaukee
Lesbian
Partner Violence Fact Sheet
Description: Definitions, statistics, and legal information about
domestic violence between lesbian women; published by the National
Violence Against Women Prevention Research Center at the University of
Missouri at St. Louis
Resource availability: Internet
Northwest Network
Description: LGBT information and support regarding abuse and
violence (based in Seattle, WA)
Resource availability: Internet
StopBullying.gov
Description: Information from various government agencies on how
kids, teens, young adults, parents, educators and others in the community
can prevent or stop bullying.
Resource availability: Internet
Last Revised: May 09, 2013 |
