Each week LGBT HealthLink , a Program of CenterLink, and researcher and blogger Corey Prachniak bring you a round up of some of the biggest LGBT wellness stories from the past seven days. For more LGBT Wellness, visit the page dedicated to the topic here.
Should HIV Testing Be Offered At Schools?
A study of young queer men of color found that nearly two-thirds would get tested for HIV in school if it was offered, and one-third said that this option would increase their overall likelihood of getting tested. In-school testing could remove barriers that the youth identified, like having the time and money to travel to a clinic, and keeping testing hidden from parents.
Queer Men Unaware of HPV Risk
A study of queer young men found that even those who had been vaccinated for HPV knew little about it, thought it was mostly for women and underestimated the risk of HPV. Some worried that seeking the vaccine would make them look promiscuous or out them as queer. “If there was more education about it,” one participant suggested, “it won’t be as taboo.”
Youth Keen on Cessation App
Queer Canadian youth said in a new study that they would like a culturally-tailored phone app to help them quit smoking, especially if it was tailored to the LGBTQ community and connected to social media like Facebook. Participants also said they would like the app to have distractions to keep them from smoking and offer rewards to keep them motivated.
Here in the U.S., smokefree.gov offers text messaging programs tailored for all individuals. Check it out here.
Four in Ten Miss Mammography Guidelines
A Seattle nonprofit found that only 60 percent of LGBT people age 50-74 had their recommended mammogram in the last two years, compared to 76 percent of the overall population. Eighty-three percent of trans men and 67 percent of gender-nonconforming people cited lack of cultural sensitivity from providers as a reason for avoiding screenings, while half of trans women cited not knowing the guidelines.
Pediatrics Journal Highlights Queer Health
A special LGBT issue was released from the journal Pediatric Clinics of North America, featuring lots of great research on caring for queer youth. For example, one article seeks to educate providers about how to diagnose and treat gender incongruence, while another explains the role that clinicians can play in addressing anti-LGBT bullying.
New Laws Something to Spit At?
HIV advocates in Australia condemned recent laws (which also appear in many U.S. states) in which people who spit at police officers have to undergo mandatory HIV testing. Advocates say that spitting presents “practically zero” risk of HIV transmission, and that the laws perpetuate unfounded stereotypes.