Compared with heterosexuals, lesbians, gay men and bisexual men and women (LGB) have worse mental and physical health and smoke and drink heavily at higher rates, aidsmap reports. Publishing their findings in the Journal of the American Medical Association, researchers analyzed responses to the 2013 and 2014 nationally representative National Health Interview Survey, the first years this long-running survey included a question about sexual orientation.

Respondents of the two years of surveys included 525 lesbians, 624 gay men and 515 bisexual adults as well as 67,150 heterosexuals, for a total of 68,814 people with an average age of 47.

After controlling for sociodemographic characteristics, the researchers found that, compared with heterosexual men, gay men reported severe psychological distress 2.82 times more frequently, heavy drinking 1.97 times more and moderate smoking 1.98 times more. Compared with heterosexual men, bisexual men reported severe psychological distress 4.70 times more, heavy drinking 3.15 times more and heavy smoking 2.1 times more

Compared with heterosexual women, lesbians reported moderate psychological distress 1.34 times more, poor or fair health 1.91 times more, multiple chronic conditions 1.58 times more, heavy drinking 2.63 times more and heavy smoking 2.29 times more. Compared with heterosexual women, bisexual women reported chronic conditions 2.07 times more, severe psychological distress 3.69 times more, heavy drinking 2.07 times more and moderate smoking 1.6 times more.

The researchers concluded: “This study supports prior research finding substantial health disparities for LGB adults in the United States, potentially due to the stressors that LGB people experience as a result of interpersonal and structural discrimination. In screening for health issues, clinicians should be sensitive to the needs of sexual minority patients.”

To read the aidsmap article, click here.

To read the study abstract, click here.