Institute for Social and Economic Research, University of Essex, Wivenhoe Park, Colchester CO4 3SQ, UK.
Department of Psychology, University of Essex, Wivenhoe Park, Colchester CO4 3SQ, UK.
Prev Med. 2017 Aug;101:126-132. doi: 10.1016/j.ypmed.2017.06.010. Epub 2017 Jun 8.
Few studies from the United Kingdom have fully investigated inequalities between members of different sexual minority groups and heterosexuals over range of health outcomes. Using data from over 40,000 individuals, this study explores the health inequalities of sexual minority UK adults. We include respondents who identify as other and those who prefer not to say (PNS). Data come from wave three (2011-2012) of the nationally-representative Understanding Society, the UK Household Longitudinal Study. Sexual orientation was asked in the self-completion portion of the study. Markers of health include physical and mental functioning, minor psychological distress, self-rated health, substance use and disability. Multiple linear and logistic regression analyses tested for differences in markers of health between sexual orientation groups. Overall, heterosexual respondents had the best health while bisexual respondents had the worst. Gay and lesbian respondents reported poorer health than heterosexuals, specifically with regards to mental functioning, distress and illness status. The other and PNS respondents were most similar to each other and generally experienced fewer health inequalities than gay and lesbian respondents; they were less likely to use tobacco or alcohol. In sum, sexual minorities experience health inequality. The inclusion of other and PNS respondents has not been done in other studies and shows that while they may be healthier than gay/lesbian and bisexual respondents they still experiences poorer health than heterosexuals. Health promotion interventions are needed for these other and PNS individuals, who might not participate in interventions targeted toward known sexual minority groups.
鲜有来自英国的研究充分调查了不同性少数群体成员与异性恋者之间在一系列健康结果方面的不平等现象。本研究利用来自 4 万多人的数据，探讨了英国性少数成年人的健康不平等问题。我们包括了自认为是其他性取向和不愿回答（PNS）的受访者。数据来自具有全国代表性的英国社会动态调查（Understanding Society）的第三波（2011-2012 年），该调查是英国家庭纵向研究。性取向问题是在研究的自我填写部分提出的。健康指标包括身体和心理健康功能、轻度心理困扰、自我评估的健康状况、物质使用和残疾。多元线性和逻辑回归分析测试了不同性取向群体在健康指标上的差异。总体而言，异性恋受访者的健康状况最好，而双性恋受访者的健康状况最差。男同性恋和女同性恋受访者的健康状况比异性恋受访者差，特别是在心理健康功能、困扰和疾病状况方面。其他和 PNS 受访者彼此之间最相似，而且一般比男同性恋和女同性恋受访者经历的健康不平等问题更少；他们使用烟草或酒精的可能性较低。总之，性少数群体存在健康不平等现象。在其他研究中没有纳入其他和 PNS 受访者，这表明，尽管他们可能比男同性恋/女同性恋和双性恋受访者更健康，但他们的健康状况仍不如异性恋者。需要为这些其他和 PNS 个体开展健康促进干预措施，因为他们可能不会参与针对已知性少数群体的干预措施。
