Lesbian Health Issues Living in a Heterosexual Society Dissertation

Total Length: 25618 words ( 85 double-spaced pages)

Total Sources: 30

Page 1 of 85

Lesbian Health Care

Lesbian Health Issues in a Heterosexual Society

The additional burdens placed on the lives of minorities as a result of social exclusion can lead to health disparities. Social exclusion theory has been used in previous research to investigate the health disparities that exist between socioeconomic classes and individuals of different ethnic backgrounds living in the United States, but it has not yet been applied to another important minority group: sexual minorities. This review of the literature has sought to apply social exclusion theory to the examination of health issues and health disparities within the lesbian community. Lesbian women face the health concerns common to all women, but also face a number of additional health care related challenges as a result of their sexual minority status living in a predominantly heterosexual society. Many of the challenges that they face with respect to their access to health care, the health care risks specific to their community and their health status are a result of their stigmatized social status. This review of the literature has sought to examine what is presently known concerning lesbian health status, their health risk behaviors, as well as their utilization and access to health care. The review also examines issues of relevance to the future of health care within this community by examining the specific and unique needs of aging lesbians.

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Table of Contents

Abstract 3

Lesbian Health in Heterosexual Society 6

Social Exclusion Theory 7

Overview of Topics Covered 8

Literature Review 10

Social Exclusion Theory 10

Social exclusion from society through legal sanctions. 13

Failure to provide for the needs of particular groups. 15

Exclusion from social production. 16

Economic exclusion from social consumption. 17

Social exclusion and health outcomes. 18

Methodological Issues in Studying Lesbian Health 20

Definition & Measurement of Sexual Orientation & Identity. 20

Studying a Marginalized Population. 23

Funding for Research. 26

Current Health Status of Lesbians 27

Health Risks and Health Behaviors. 28

Weight. 29

Smoking. 31

Alcohol Use & Abuse. 33

Substance Use. 33

Cancer & Major Illnesses. 34

Reproductive Cancers. 34

Chronic Illnesses. 38

Sexual Health. 40

Mental health. 42

Minority Stress & Health 45

Stress associated with hiding sexual identity. 46

Experiences of prejudice and victimization. 48

Social support and minority stress. 50

Social Support, Relationships & Health 53

Access to & Experiences with Health Care Services 56

Unequal access to health benefits. 57

Misinformation. 58

Negative experiences and disclosure of sexual orientation. 61

Social exclusion. 63

The Experience of Aging for Lesbians 65

Summary & Conclusions.....

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Latest APA Format (6th edition)

Copy Reference
"Lesbian Health Issues Living In A Heterosexual Society" (2010, December 29) Retrieved April 26, 2024, from
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/lesbian-health-issues-living-heterosexual-121858

Latest MLA Format (8th edition)

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"Lesbian Health Issues Living In A Heterosexual Society" 29 December 2010. Web.26 April. 2024. <
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/lesbian-health-issues-living-heterosexual-121858>

Latest Chicago Format (16th edition)

Copy Reference
"Lesbian Health Issues Living In A Heterosexual Society", 29 December 2010, Accessed.26 April. 2024,
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/lesbian-health-issues-living-heterosexual-121858