ILGA-Europe - PowerPoint Presentation

Slide1

ILGA-Europe Roundtable on LGBTI Health in Europe: Social Health Determinants

November 2014Slide2

Stonewall’s health researchSlide3

Prescription for Change: Lesbian and bisexual

women’s health check (2008)

In 2007, Stonewall invited lesbians and bisexual women to complete a survey about their health needs and experiences of the health sector. We were overwhelmed with the response. Over 6,000 women completed the survey, making this the largest survey of lesbians' and bisexual women's health needs outside

the US.

The picture they paint should disturb any healthcare practitioner

.

Key findings

Lesbians are more likely to have smoked and to drink heavily than

women in

general. At various ages they are less likely to have had a smear test and

more likely

to have had breast cancer. Levels of self harm and suicide are

significantly higher

than in the wider population. Half have had negative experience

of healthcare

within the last year alone and a similar number feel unable to

be open

about their sexual orientation to their GP.Slide4

Findings in focusSmoking, alcohol and drugs

- Two

thirds

of lesbian and bisexual women have smoked compared to half

of women

in general.

- Just

over a quarter

currently smoke.

- Nine in ten lesbian and bisexual women drink and 40 per cent drink three times a week compared to a quarter of women in general.- Lesbian and bisexual women are five times more likely to have taken drugs.- Over one in ten have taken cocaine, compared to three per cent of women in general.

Cancer screening

- Fifteen per cent of lesbian and bisexual women over 25 have never had a cervical smear test, compared to seven per cent of women in general.- One in five who have not had a test have been told they are not at risk. - One in twelve lesbian and bisexual women aged between 50 and 79 have been diagnosed with breast cancer, compared to one in twenty women in general.

Sexual health

- Less than half of lesbian and bisexual women have ever been screened for sexually transmitted infections.- Half of those who have been screened had an STI and a quarter of those with STIs have only had sex with women in the last five years.

Mental health

- One

in five

lesbian and bisexual women have deliberately harmed themselves

in the

last

year.

- Half

of women

under 20

have

self-harmed.

- Five

per cent

have attempted to take their life in the last year and

sixteen per

cent

of

women under

20

have attempted to take their

life.Slide5

Gay and Bisexual Men’s Health Survey (2012)

With 6,861 respondents from across Britain, this is the largest survey ever conducted of gay and bisexual men’s health needs in the world. However, it demonstrates that many of the needs of gay and bisexual men are not being met and that there are areas of significant concern – most particularly in mental health and drug use – that have been overlooked by health services which too often focus solely on gay men’s sexual health

.

The survey covers eight areas: Smoking alcohol and drugs; General fitness and exercise

;

Mental health; Eating disorders and body image; Domestic abuse; Cancer and common male health problems; Sexual health and HIV; Discrimination in healthcare.

Key findings

The report provides clear evidence that gay and bisexual men nationwide are more likely to attempt suicide, self-harm and have depression than their straight peers. They are also more likely to smoke, drink and take illegal drugs. It ill-serves our gay and bisexual communities when these uncomfortable truths are ignored.Slide6

Findings in focusMental health and well-being

-

In

the last year,

three per cent

of gay men and

five

per cent

of bisexual men

have attempted to take their own life. - One in sixteen (six per cent) gay and bisexual men aged 16 to 24 have attempted to take their own life in the last year. - One in fourteen gay and bisexual men deliberately harmed themselves in the last year. - One in six (15 per cent) gay and bisexual men aged 16 to 24 have harmed themselves in the last

year.

Smoking, alcohol and drug use - While smoking and alcohol consumption among gay and bisexual men is broadly similar and/or slightly higher than men in general, illegal drug use is much higher.- Two thirds (67 per cent) of gay and bisexual men have smoked at some time in their life compared to half of men in general who have smoked.- Eight in ten (78 per cent) gay and bisexual men had a drink in the last week compared to seven in ten (68 per cent) in general. - Half

(51 per cent) of gay and bisexual men have taken drugs in the last year compared to just 12 per cent of men in general. Slide7

Social inequalitiesGender & LGBT health

Gender, ethnicity & LGBT healthSlide8

Social inequalitiesLGB people in later life

Gender identitySlide9

Summary Complexity of people’s identities and situations; LGBT people are many other things, as well as LGBT. Importance of understanding how social inequalities might interact

with and compound one another.

Social as opposed to biological or physical drivers.

Various areas of concern already marked by stigma and discrimination.

Wide

areas of health (and social policy) are involved.

Isolation from health and social care services is a general feature.

Misrepresentation within healthcare settings (e.g. use of stereotypes, assumptions, incorrect language) is also a general experience.Slide10

What can be done? Reduce violence, discrimination, stigma and social exclusion against/of LGBT people, and against all, in general . Promote widening of what we understand by LGBT health to

beyond a focus on MSM and sexual health (also, inclusion of

‘social’ issues – bullying and

domestic abuse

).

Destigmatising approach – both of LGBT communities and, importantly, of those areas of health marked by stigma and discrimination for anyone.

More research (e.g.

l

ongitudinal studies, T* and I*, social class, cross-country). Also SOGI data collection. Training of healthcare providers – especially more systematic training which is embedded into practice (e.g. Stonewall’s pilot study with Cardiff Medical School), and focus on delivery. Proactive approach from healthcare providers to reach out to affected communities, and to actively demonstrate that services are for them. Develop programmes to help make this happen (e.g. Stonewall’s Health Equality Index and Health Champions Programmes).Slide11

For more information:www.healthylives.stonewall.org.uk

Thank you!