Each week LGBT HealthLink , a Program of CenterLink, and researcher and blogger Corey Prachniak, brings you a round up of some of the biggest LGBT wellness stories from the past seven days. For more LGBT Wellness, visit HuffPost’s page dedicated to the topic here.
The Doctor is Out: Queer Sex Questions Answered
Teen Vogue interviewed a Callen-Lorde doctor on the top sex questions from LGBT youth. Some of the topics included: knowing the risks that come from different kinds of sex; understanding the benefits of the HPV vaccine, which can prevent cancer; and having the right to privacy respected if someone asks their doctor about safer, queer sex.
How People Coped After Orlando May Surprise You
Researchers found that following the June terrorist attack in Orlando, 26% of LGB adults coped with the stress by drinking and 7% used drugs – much smaller than the percentage people thought others were using alcohol and drugs. The real top coping strategy? Posting feelings on social media, which was used by three in four adults.
Hidden Health Benefit Found in Hormone Therapy
A study found that, when told hormone therapy poses a thrombosis risk, 64% of trans women quit smoking during their first year of treatment, as quitting smoking can reduce thrombosis risk and thus balance out the danger. Doctors believe this added understanding boosted quitting, which in turn more than compensated for the risks of hormone therapy.
3 in 5 Queer Men Haven’t Heard of PrEP
Researchers found that nearly three-fifths of men who have sex with men have not heard of PrEP, the HIV prevention treatment. Having more contact with the healthcare system generally did not increase knowledge of PrEP, suggesting providers are not connecting patients to information. Being out to a doctor, however, tripled the chances of knowing about PrEP.
How Can Providers Improve LGBT Cancer Care?
Healio published an op-ed on how to improve cancer care for LGBT patients, including asking inclusive questions, being knowledgeable about gender-affirming care, and making clinics more friendly for queer patients. The suggestions could help LGBT people be less weary of utilizing medical care and having worse cancer outcomes as a result.
Helping Queer Folks Call it Quits on Smoking
The North American Quitline Consortium is out with recommendations on how to improve the success of tobacco quitlines among priority populations, including LGBT folks, whom studies found are less likely to use these resources despite having much higher rates of smoking.