IOM panel urges more research on health issues facing gays

A Institute of Medicine report calls for more study of health conditions and disparities facing lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.

The New York Times: U.S. Panel Suggests Research Into Causes And Prevalence Of Health Issues Facing Gays
The federal government should systematically collect demographic data on gay, lesbian and transgender people and should conduct biomedical research to understand why they are more likely to have certain chronic conditions, the National Academy of Sciences said Thursday (Pear, 3/31).

The Associated Press: Study Of Gay, Transgender Health Needed
Scientists only recently learned how certain diseases affect women differently than men, and blacks differently than whites. Now a major new report says it's time to study the unique health needs of gay and transgender people, too. Stigma often keeps lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people from seeking health care and when they do, there's little research to guide doctors in their treatment, the Institute of Medicine reported Thursday (3/31).

Modern Healthcare: IOM Urges More Research On LGBT Health Issues
The Institute of Medicine has issued a report calling for more research into the health conditions and disparities affecting lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals. Routine collection of information on race and ethnicity has expanded our understanding of conditions that are more prevalent among various groups or that affect them differently, said Dr. Robert Graham, professor of family medicine at the University of Cincinnati (Ohio), and chair of the IOM committee that produced the report. We should strive for the same attention to and engagement of sexual and gender minorities in health research" (McKinney, 3/31).