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Lesbian, gay, bisexual adults face lower odds of ideal CV health
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Lesbian, gay and bisexual adults may be less likely to have ideal CV health compared with their heterosexual counterparts, according to data presented at the American Heart Association’s Epidemiology and Prevention | Lifestyle and Cardiometabolic Health Scientific Sessions.
“In general, public health researchers agree that current efforts to improve health of sexual minority population are not adequate and more resources are needed for eliminating health disparities among this population,” Anshul Saxena, MPH, PhD, a biostatistician at Baptist Health South Florida in Miami, and colleagues wrote in a draft manuscript. “One such area is cardiovascular health, where evidence regarding clinical and behavioral risk factors among individuals from sexual minority groups is limited.”
For the cross-sectional study, researchers analyzed 2,445 participants from the 2011-2012 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey to investigate the disparities in CV health between heterosexual and lesbian, gay or bisexual (LGB) adults. Among the cohort, 4.9% (95% CI, 3.3-6.5) self-identified as LGB. The researchers measured seven factors from the AHA’s Life’s Simple 7 lifestyle parameters, including smoking, BMI, physical activity, diet, BP, total cholesterol and glucose. Each CV health factor was subsequently categorized as ideal, intermediate or poor, with ideal total CV health defined as the presence of ideal scores in five or more of the seven factors.
After adjusting for age, gender, and race, LGB individuals were 36% (adjusted OR = 0.64; 95% CI, 0.29-1.4) less likely to have ideal CV health compared with heterosexual participants.
The scope of the study is limited based on the relatively low number of LGB participants and the lack of information about the physical activity of the participants, the researchers noted.
“LGB individuals can lead long and healthy lives if primary care physicians can promote lifestyle changes. Since three components of [Life’s Simple 7] are behavioral in nature (smoking, diet and physical activity), primary care physicians can successfully intervene by building trust,” the researchers wrote. “Combating stigma and discrimination in the society is more complex and challenging, but increasing social support, strict policies against verbal harassment, protection from physical and sexual assaults, and equality in employment and housing can improve mental and physical health of individuals belonging to the sexual minority groups.” – by Melissa Webb
Reference:
Saxena A, et al. Abstract P001. Presented at: American Heart Association’s Epidemiology and Prevention | Lifestyle and Cardiometabolic Health Scientific Sessions; March 20-23, 2018; New Orleans.
Disclosure: Saxena reports no relevant financial disclosures.