LGBT Research and Why It's Lacking

In LGBT health, research is currently being conducted, but there is still research lacking in some areas.  There is currently research being done to determine the healthcare needs of the LGBT community.  Healthy People 2020 (2012) states, “Research suggests that LGBT individuals face health disparities linked to societal stigma, discrimination, and denial of their civil and human rights.”  It has been shown LGBT persons have high rates of psychiatric disorders, substance abuse, and suicide.  There is significant research showing the increased prevalence of sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted infections.  We know that sexual minorities are more likely to have breast cancer, hepatitis A, B, and C, stress related conditions, obesity and homelessness. 

While research has helped reveal the need for LGBT healthcare, more research is needed.  While it has been shown that there are increased risks for diseases such as breast cancer and obesity, little is known about the reasons these are prevalent.  More research is needed to determine why the LGBT community faces greater prevalence of substance abuse, alcoholism, and smoking.  There is a lack of research about LGBT health improvement thus far including improvement of access to health and mental services, support services, and status of disease transmission and progression (Healthy People, 2012).

            Research in LGBT health is lacking for many reasons.  Information is often hard to come by due to poor access and many sexual minorities prefer to be private.  There is a lack of interest in gaining information about LGBT health and statistics.  Much of the research done has shown that there is a higher prevalence of diseases and different health needs than the general public.  The research is generally stopped there, without access to reasons for these differences.  

Healthy People 2020. (2012). 2020 Topics and objectives: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender 

      Health. Retrieved from http://www.healthypeople.gov/2020/topicsobjectives2020  

      /overview.aspx?topicid=25

Mayer, K. H., Bekker, L. G., Stall, R., Grulich, A. E., Colfax, G., & Lama, J. R. (2012). Comprehensive 

      clinical care for men who have sex with men: an integrated approach. Lancet, 380(9839), 

      378-387.