GMHC Lauds HRSA for Including Lesbian and Bisexual Women for the First Time in Women's Health USA 2011 Report

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contacts:
Krishna Stone | 212.367.1016

New York, NY — On October 31, the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) issued its tenth edition of "Women's Health USA 2011," an annual data book that identifies priorities, trends and disparities in women's health.  This year, for the first time, lesbian and bisexual women are featured in the report.

In the Special Populations section, the report states "Research suggests lesbian and bisexual women are at increased risk for adverse health outcomes, including overweight and obesity, poor mental health, substance abuse, violence, and barriers to optimal health care resulting from social and economic inequities."  What the section did not note are the high risk behaviors that place lesbians, bisexual women and women who sex with women (WSW) at risk of HIV.

"This year's report on women's health which includes lesbian and bisexual women is definitely a step in the right direction toward expanding health care access for all women, particularly those who are already disenfranchised because of their sexual orientation," said Marjorie J. Hill, PhD, Chief Executive Officer at GMHC.  "Lesbians and WSW are at significant risk of HIV, other sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and other health disparities.  These risks are exacerbated by racial disparities in health care access as well as stigma, homophobia, silence and invisibility."

In 2009, GMHC published a report entitled, "HIV Risk for Lesbians, Bisexuals and Other Women Who have Sex With Women." The GMHC report indicated that research shows some lesbians and WSW engage in high risk behaviors that place them at risk for HIV transmission.  Some WSW use injection drugs and may share needles and works.  Some WSW have sex, or sexual histories, with HIV-positive men and /or injection drug users.

"We hope the HRSA report's inclusion of lesbian and bisexual women will foster more research to collect data in order to increase access to appropriate and tailored health care," added Hill.  "Lesbians and bisexual women need and deserve better health outcomes."

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About GMHC:  GMHC is a not-for-profit, volunteer-supported, and community-based organization committed to national leadership in the fight against AIDS. We provide prevention and care services to men, women, and families that are living with, or affected by, HIV/AIDS in New York City. We advocate for scientific, evidence-based public health solutions for hundreds of thousands worldwide.  Our mission:  GMHC fights to end the AIDS epidemic and uplift the lives of all affected.