The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans Public Health Outcomes Framework Companion Document is a resource for all those commissioning and delivering healthcare services in order to support the delivery of an equitable public health system.
The LGB&T PHOF Companion Document is intended primarily for Health and Wellbeing Boards and public health teams, as well as local authorities, the NHS, and voluntary and community organisations that commission and provide services, as a resource to improve the health and wellbeing of the diverse LGB&T communities they serve.
The report includes bisexuality throughout, though usually with bi and gay men together and lesbians and bi women.
Bi specific bits:
pg. 8:
There is limited research into bisexuality. However, there is evidence for bisexual men and women of increased
risk of eating disorders, mental ill health and increased alcohol consumption compared to lesbians and their
heterosexual peers. Although bisexual women are more likely to have tested for sexually transmitted diseases than
lesbian women, significantly fewer bisexual men have ever been for an STD or HIV test than gay men.
pg. 11:
The national Integrated Household Survey included sexual orientation as a dimension in 2010. This found that
self-reported health was slightly better among lesbians and gay men than heterosexuals, but much worse among
bisexuals and those identifying with another non-heterosexual identity.
and
pg. 36:
The Healthy Life Expectancy section on page 11 includes data
on self-reported health, which suggests that self-reported health is slightly better among lesbians and gay men
than heterosexual people but much worse among bisexuals and those identifying with another non-heterosexual
identity.
pg. 13:
It is important to remember the increasing number of LGB&T identifying parents: an estimated 8% of lesbian and gay
people and 30% of bisexuals live in a household with one or more dependant children.
pg. 15:
2 in 5 lesbian women, 1 in 3 gay men and 1 in 4 bisexual men have experienced negative or mixed reactions from
mental health professionals.
pg. 27:
There is a lack of data on smoking amongst LGB&T people aged 15 in the UK, although US research found that
bisexual young people are twice as likely to smoke regularly as their heterosexual and homosexual peers.
pg. 31:
LGB people demonstrate a higher likelihood of being substance dependent, with between 4 and 13% of drug users
scoring as dependent. Dependence is highest amongst gay men and bisexual men and women.
pg. 47:
Bisexual and queer identified people are more likely than lesbians or gay men to have thought about and
attempted suicide in the past five years.
The report is referenced throughout. Bi specific references:
15 Jeffries, W.L, Dodge, B and Sandfort, T.G.M. ‘Religion and spirituality among bisexual Black Men in the USA’,
Culture, Health & Sexuality, 10:4, 2008, 463-477.
18 Guasp, A and Taylor, J. ‘Bisexuality – Stonewall Health Briefing’, London, Stonewall, 2012. http://www.healthylives.stonewall.org.uk/lgb-health/briefings/bisexuality.aspx
93 Saewyc, E. M., Homma, Y., Skay, C. L., Bearinger, L. H., Resnick, M. D., & Reis, E. (2009). Protective Factors in the Lives
of Bisexual Adolescents in North America. American Journal of Public Health, 99, 110-117
166 Count Me In Too: Bisexual Lives Community Summary, University of Brighton, 2009
I recognise and respect a number of the authors of the document and it seems pretty comprehensive. Do we have any more bi stuff to add to a companion to the companion document?
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