Sexual and Behavioral Health Disparities Among Sexual Minority Hispanics/Latinos: Findings From the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2001–2014

Details

• Alternative Title:
  Am J Prev Med
• Personal Author:
  Martinez, Omar ; Lee, Ji Hyun ; Bandiera, Frank ; Santamaria, E. Karina ; Levine, Ethan C. ; Operario, Don
• Description:
  Introduction
  
  Hispanics/Latinos (henceforth, Latinos) are the largest minority group in the U.S. With growing health disparities among this group, the highest burden remains among sexual and gender minority Latinos. Differences regarding sexual orientation have not been fully explored within this group using national representative samples. This study analyzed sexual and behavioral health disparities associated with sexual minority status among Latinos in the U.S.
  
  Methods
  
  The study included data from 5,598 Latino adults who participated in the 2001–2014 waves of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Data analysis was conducted in 2016. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses examined the prevalence of HIV, sexually transmitted infections, mental health problems, cigarette smoking, and alcohol/illicit drug use among sexual minorities and heterosexual Latino adults. Sexual minorities were defined as “gay, lesbian, and bisexual” (GLB) and “other” non-heterosexual groups.
  
  Results
  
  GLB Latinos reported higher prevalence of mental health problems and cigarette smoking compared with heterosexuals. After adjusting for covariates, GLB Latinos had greater odds of testing positive for HIV, lifetime diagnosis of sexually transmitted infections, poor mental health outcomes, cigarette smoking (including lifetime and current smoking status), and illicit drug use than heterosexuals.
  
  Conclusions
  
  The disproportionate impact of health disparities among Latinos varies significantly by sexual orientation, with GLB individuals facing elevated prevalence. In particular, elevated odds for HIV/sexually transmitted infections, mental health problems, smoking, and illicit substance use were found. Further research, including longitudinal studies to understand the trajectories of risks, is needed to identify intervention opportunities in this population.
  
  
• Keywords:
  Adult Female Health Status Disparities Health Surveys Hispanic Or Latino HIV Infections Humans Longitudinal Studies Male Mental Health Minority Groups Nutrition Surveys Prevalence Sexual And Gender Minorities Sexual Health Sexually Transmitted Diseases Smoking Substance-Related Disorders

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• Source:
  Am J Prev Med. 53(2):225-231
• Pubmed ID:
  28284748
• Pubmed Central ID:
  PMC5567737
• Document Type:
  Journal Article
• Funding:
  T32 DA013911/DA/NIDA NIH HHSUnited States/ ; R25 MH083620/MH/NIMH NIH HHSUnited States/ ; U01 PS005124/PS/NCHHSTP CDC HHSUnited States/ ; R25 GM083270/GM/NIGMS NIH HHSUnited States/ ; P01 AA019072/AA/NIAAA NIH HHSUnited States/ ; U01PS005124/ACL/ACL HHSUnited States/ ; R25 DA028567/DA/NIDA NIH HHSUnited States/ ; U24 AA022000/AA/NIAAA NIH HHSUnited States/
• Volume:
  53
• Issue:
  2
• Collection(s):
  CDC Public Access
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha256:8fb6465ae771b6ee7e35209fe67bae9f6622e924e1bc917c85e398ad1cf80562
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/47725/cdc_47725_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 105.93 KB ]