Dr. Leigh Roberts was one of the speakers at the lesbian health forum. Photo by Ross Forman_______
Healthcare workers presented groundbreaking data from the first ongoing study of lesbian health at Center on Halsted on June 26. The talk was presented by the Sexual Orientation and Gender Institute ( SOGI ) .
The Chicago Health and Life Experiences of Women study, or CHLEW, is a crucial ongoing study because many studies don't properly assess or define sexual orientation, according to SOGI director Braden Berkey.
CHLEW, an ongoing study that started in 1999, with plans to continue following up on participants through 2013, has a number of objectives: to address the limitations of previous studies; to better understand health concerns and risks among a diverse group of women; to compare drinking patters between lesbians and heterosexuals; and to make an effort to include a diverse group of women, including women of color, those of lower income and older women.
The study also divided the participants' sexuality in different ways, such as those that identify as only lesbian, mostly lesbian, mostly heterosexual, etc. It then compares sexual minority women with a 20-year national longitudinal study of women's drinking patterns.
Although the study is ongoing, there have been interesting findings, some of which do not come as much of a surprise. Alicia Matthews, Ph.D., an associate professor at UIC College of Nursing, said that what they do know is 'there is a strong potential of health disparities among lesbian and bisexual women.' These disparities are due to many factors, including a poorer access to quality healthcare, higher rates of risky health behaviors ( such as substance abuse and drinking ) , as well as bias and discrimination.
Another finding is that the rate of smoking in lesbian and other sexual minority women is much higher than heterosexuals—a finding that is not news to the LGBT community. There were also high rates of alcohol and marijuana use. According to Kelly Kinnison, MA, a doctoral candidate at the UIC Department of Psychology, lesbians reported more alcohol-related problems and show less age-related decline in alcohol use than their heterosexual counterparts. Those that fell into the 'other sexual identity' category ( not identifying as all lesbian or all heterosexual ) experienced even higher rates of problem consequences of drinking. On a good note, the women studied were seeking treatment at higher rates, across all age groups, than heterosexual women.
Other findings show that although many of the women viewed their health as being relatively good, 25 percent of the sample reported a current diagnosis of a medical problem such as high blood pressure, thyroid problems, cancer, diabetes and heart disease. Considering the median age was 39, 'This is very high for a relatively young population,' Matthews said.
On a positive note, most reported being out to their medical providers and a vast majority had, at one point, breast exams, pap smears and mammograms. However, routine screening was lower than their heterosexual counterparts.
On the mental health side, according to Laura Szalacha, Ph.D., assistant professor of the UIC College of Nursing, the majority of women in the CHLEW study perceived their mental health as fairly good, although African American women and Latinas viewed their mental health as lower than White women. The study is also researching the correlations between sexual abuse and drinking and psychological distress. The correlations between hazardous drinking and sexual violence ( whether that be childhood sexual abuse or re-victimization in adult life ) varies for different groups ( such as those that identify as all lesbian or those who identify as mostly lesbian/mostly heterosexual or bisexual ) .
Though the study is ongoing, and much research still needs to be done, UIC College of Nursing professor Tonda Hughes said that not only are lesbians at higher risks for health problems, but also compared with lesbians, those in other minority categories are at even greater risk. Also, 'in terms of lesbians of color, we still don't know nearly enough,' Hughes said.
After the presentation, community healthcare providers responded to the research being done in the CHLEW study. All agreed wholeheartedly that the research is extremely important.
Physician Leigh Roberts ( who owns Chicago's Hejira Healthcare ) speculated that because of changing medical definitions since the first wave of the study was conducted, rates of disease among participants might be even higher than originally reported.
Howard Brown's Recovering with Pride program coordinator Vanessa Ford was glad the participants' sexual identity was broken down, because she feels identity plays a 'huge role' in risk factors for substance abuse. The finding of more lesbians reporting problems associated with drinking also concerns Ford, because she feels that, even still, the most visible parts of the GLBT community are its bars and clubs. 'There is subtle encouragement community-wide [ to drink ] .'
Center on Halsted clinical supervisor Denise Hagerla thought it made perfect sense that lesbians report more problematic drinking, and finds that 'other identified folks' such as those identifying as mostly lesbian, bisexual or mostly heterosexual represent many of the clients she actually sees. 'It's meaningful they have more negative consequences ( from drinking ) , because they are often outside the gay culture, as well,' she said.
Simone Koehlinger, Chicago Department of Public Health's Office of LGBT Health director, believes this is just the beginning, and views discussions such as these as an opportunity for people to get informed and involved. 'What it really comes down to is a call for action,' she said. 'We ( women ) are not used to immersing ourselves in ourselves and finding out about ourselves. Let's take a mirror and take a look at ourselves.' Then, women can hold each other accountable, as well as the health community, she added.
