The Chicago Department of Public Health's ( CDPH's ) Office of LGBT Health will be participating in National LGBT Health Awareness Week, taking place this week until March 18.
According to an office press release, the annual campaign is coordinated by the National Coalition for LGBT Health and is centered around the theme 'Own Your Health. Get Checked Out.'
CDPH will be supporting several local community events taking place throughout the week, including:
Until March 17, 1-2 p.m.: Free Depression Screenings at Howard Brown Health Center, 4025 N. Sheridan, ( 773 ) 388-1600
March 15, 6 p.m.: 'Grrls Talkin' About Their Health' at Center on Halsted, 2869 N. Lincoln, ( 773 ) 472-6469
March 18, 1-5 p.m.: Mardi Gras Celebration at the Youth Pride Center, 637 S. Dearborn, ( 773 ) 368-3130
March 18, 12 p.m.: LGBT Anti-Violence Health Fair at TPAN ( Test Positive Aware Network ) , 5537 N. Broadway, ( 773 ) 989-9400
See www.cityofchicago.org/health.
In a related item, the National Coalition for LGBT Health has released a flyer documenting statistics regarding the gay community and various disorders/diseases.
The coalition points out, for example, that gay males have a significantly increased risk of eating disorders and that studies found that nearly 40 percent of lesbian and bisexual girls smoke weekly, compared to only 6 percent of heterosexual girls.
Contact the coalition at ( 202 ) 797-3516 or see www.lgbthealth.net .