Wed. March 28, 2012
Chicago, IL -
It's the 10th Annual LGBT Health Awareness Week and the Chicago Department of Health is encouraging the community to quit smoking.
Researchers, including the American Lung Association, believe that there is a higher prevalence of smoking in the LGBT community. According to statistics in a report released by Howard Brown, the National LGBT Tobacco Control Network, and the Fenway Institute in 2005, LGBT individuals are 40-70 percent more likely to smoke cigarettes than non-LGBT individuals. The same report attributes the increased use within the community to "higher levels of social stress, frequent patronage of bars and clubs, higher rates of alcohol and drug use, and direct targeting of LGBT consumers by the tobacco industry."
Statistically, bisexuals are the heaviest smokers. Surveys in Illinois from 2003 found that 34 percent of bisexuals smoked, compared with 28.8 percent of lesbians and gay men and 18.9 percent of heterosexuals. Gay men are found to smoke 50 percent more than the general population and lesbians 200 percent more.
LGBT adolescents are also of particular concern. A recent national study found that 35 percent of adolescent males and 45 percent of adolescent females who reported same-sex attraction or behavior smoked, compared with 29 percent of non-LGBT adolescents. In a 2007 study of LGBT youth, those who smoked told researchers they believe cigarettes add to a facade of toughness that decreases bullying and also act as easy ice breakers.
The Chicago Department of Health directs smokers to the Illinois Tobacco Quit Hotline, which can be reached at 1-866-QUIT-YES (784-8937). Kicking the habit isn't always easy and many former smokers say they quit thanks to the support of a group; after all, misery loves company. The Howard Brown Health Center offers an LGBT-targeted cessation program, "Bitch to Quit," whose pink advertisements can be spotted on CTA vehicles throughout the city.
National LGBT Health Week is organized by the National Coalition for LGBT Health. This year's campaign, titled "Come Out For Health," focuses on four core principles: empowering consumers to approach their health care providers concerning their sexual orientation and gender identity; directing their providers on how to be culturally competent and sensitive to the needs of the LGBT community; creating inclusive policy making by getting people involved with government; and reaching out to a variety of communities to raise awareness about the health needs of the LGBT individuals.
The National Coalition for LGBT Health is also partnering with the Rainbow Access Initiative, Inc. in a project that seeks to give voice to LGBT healthcare consumers. The groups are looking for "personal LGBT healthcare stories documented on video and in print" that will give researchers an idea of how LGBTQ folks access healthcare and what their experiences are like within the healthcare system. They are also asking about the impact the Affordable Care Act has had LGBT consumers, a relevant question as the debate over National Health Care reform reaches the Supreme Court in DC this week.
If you would like to share share your personal healthcare story, please visit http://lgbthealthstory.wordpress.com for details.
"Bitch to Quit" groups are forming now, please contact Karyn Haney at 773-388-8682 or visit the Howard Brown Health Center website for more information.
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