Differences in Family Health History Knowledge Among Bisexual and Lesbian Women

LGBT Health. 2019 Apr;6(3):134-137. doi: 10.1089/lgbt.2018.0217. Epub 2019 Feb 21.

Abstract

Purpose: We aimed to determine whether there are differences between sexual minority women and heterosexual women in family health history knowledge.

Methods: We used data from Dr. Susan Love Research Foundation's The Health of Women Study®. We included women who completed two of six online surveys between 2012 and 2015 (n = 22,410).

Results: Compared with heterosexual women, bisexual and lesbian women had consistently greater odds of not knowing their family health history (e.g., odds ratios of 2.59 and 1.56 for breast cancer, respectively).

Conclusion: To avoid exacerbating existing health disparities, in the era of precision medicine, we must address gaps in knowledge of family health history.

Keywords: cancer; disparities; family health history; high cholesterol; precision medicine.

MeSH terms

  • Female
  • Heterosexuality / statistics & numerical data*
  • Homosexuality, Female / statistics & numerical data*
  • Humans
  • Hypercholesterolemia / genetics
  • Internet
  • Medical History Taking*
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasms / genetics
  • Sexual and Gender Minorities / statistics & numerical data*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires