Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Health
Health information for
lesbian and bisexual women
Your health and safety are extremely important. Everyone deserves
good health and a good life.
 Lesbian
and bisexual women are as diverse as the entire community. Like the
general population, lesbian and bisexual women vary in terms of age,
income, cultural background, affiliation with the lesbian community, and
education. Also like the general population, lesbian and bisexual women
are varied in their physical activity levels, sexual behaviors, diet,
health history, genetics and other factors that affect overall health.
The following general health recommendations for lesbian and bisexual
women (and all women) help promote health and prevent disease:
-
Not
smoking and avoiding smoky places.
-
Eating a healthy and varied diet that is low in fat and high in fiber.
-
Drinking only in moderation.
-
Regular health exams and screening for STDs.
-
Regular Pap tests and STD exams.
*See
article abstract below on "Lesbian health matters: A pap test
education campaign nearly thwarted by discrimination."
-
Regular breast exams and mammograms after age 40
-
Tetanus immunization booster every 10 years.
-
30
minutes of aerobic activity 3-4 times per week.
Some lesbian and bisexual women also have particular health concerns,
such as increased risk of hate crimes and breast cancer. These webpages
discuss some of these health concerns, as well as the things that you
can do to reduce or eliminate your risk for these health problems.
*Co-authored
by Ellen Phillips-Angeles, Manager of Public Health - Seattle &
King County's Women's Health Unit, the following article was
published July 2004 in "Health Promotion Practice":
Ellen Phillips-Angeles, Paula
Wolfe, Robin Myers, Patricia Dawson, Jeanne Marrazzo, Sallye
Soltner, Mary Dzieweczynski. Lesbian health matters: A pap
test education campaign nearly thwarted by discrimination.
Health Promotion Practice, July 2004; Vol. 35, Issue 3,
p. 314-325.
The Pap test detects cell changes in the cervix that can be
treated, preventing cancer from developing. Regular screening
reduced cervical cancer deaths by 70% since 1950. Lesbians may
not be adequately screened because of a misperception that
they do not need Pap tests. The "Lesbian Health Matters"
public and provider education campaign was implemented to
address this problem. Paid advertisements were placed on two
radio stations and in four newspapers. After one week, both
radio stations cancelled the ads due to listener complaints
about hearing the word "lesbian" on the radio. The community
responded to this discriminatory action by demanding the
campaign be completed, creating publicity that increased the
campaigns reach to 34% of women in the region. A training
program was implemented reaching 219 providers. Thirty-two
hundred health providers were surveyed regarding
lesbian-friendly practice. A database of 293 providers was
created and 120 referrals made.
|
|
learn
more
 Alcohol
and Other Drug Prevention
Helps promote constructive lifestyles that discourage
alcohol and drug abuse and promote development of social
environments that facilitate alcohol/drug-free lifestyles.
|
 Vida
sana y nutrición
Lo que comemos va ligado a nuestra habilidad de disfrutar de
la vida a plenitud. Para ello no importa la edad que tenga la
persona ni su estado actual de salud.
|
 Breast
and Cervical Health Program
BCHP provides free breast and cervical cancer screening for
low-income women.
|
Free or Low-Cost Health Insurance
If you are currently not insured for medical care, visit our
Affordable Health
 Care
webpages to see if you qualify.
|
|
|
