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Intro to Gay and Bisexual Mens Health Issues
The life expectancy of a gay man is currently under 50, which is 20-30 years shorter than the life expectancy of a heterosexual man[1]. While HIV/AIDS may explain some of this difference, there are other health risks that contribute to this. We need to be concerned that approximately 20% of gay men have been the victims of anti-gay violence[2].
In a study of 47 HIV positive gay, bisexual and transgendered men:
the majority had experienced homophobic care
experiences in the emergency department were consistently bad
bad experiences negatively affected future care seeking
gay men preferred a gay male physician
gay men had positive views of straight female physicians[3]
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1. Peterkin A, Risdon C. Caring for Lesbian and Gay People: A Clinical Guide. 2003. University of Toronto Press Incorporated. Toronto, Ontario.
2. Kaiser Permanente National Diversity Council. A Provider's Handbook on Culturally Competent Care: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered Population. Oakland, CA. Kaiser Permanente; 2000.
3. Schilder AJ, Kennedy C, Goldstone IL, Ogden RD, Hogg RS, O'Shaughnessy MV. "Being dealth with as a whole person." Care seeking and adherence: the benefits of culturally competent care. Social Science & Medicine. 2001;52:1643-1659.
