Definition
Health disparities refer to preventable differences in health outcomes and access to healthcare services across different groups. These disparities are often influenced by various social, economic, environmental, and systemic factors.
Introduction
Public health science remains critical in understanding health disparities and achieving health equity (Mpofu, 2021). A common goal for many health researchers is to achieve health for all. Health researchers must first recognize the unique health needs and health disparities specific communities face for this goal to be met. Health disparities refer to differences in the incidence, prevalence, mortality, and burden of disease and other adverse health conditions (Healthy People 2020, n.d.; Mpofu, 2021). If a difference in health outcomes exists between populations,...
References
Ahrens, K. R., McCarty, C., Simoni, J., Dworsky, A., & Courtney, M. E. (2013). Psychosocial pathways to sexually transmitted infection risk among youth transitioning out of foster care: Evidence from a longitudinal cohort study. Journal of Adolescent Health, 53(4), 478–485. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2013.05.010
Bi, S., Vela, M. B., Nathan, A. G., Gunter, K. E., Cook, S. C., López, F. Y., Nocon, R. S., & Chin, M. H. (2020). Teaching intersectionality of sexual orientation, gender identity, and race/ethnicity in a health disparities course. MedEdPORTAL. https://doi.org/10.15766/mep_2374-8265.10970
Bouranova, A. (2022, March 3). Explaining the Latest Texas Anti-Transgender Directive. Boston University. https://www.bu.edu/articles/2022/latest-texas-anti-transgender-directive-explained/
Gotbaum, B., Browne, D., Woltman, M., Tumarkin, L., & Dyer, & Buchbinder, S. (2008). Improving lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender access to healthcare at New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation Facilities. Office of the New York City Public Advocate.
Harvey, V. L., & Housel, T. H. (2014). Health care disparities and the Lgbt population. Lexington Books.
Healthy People 2020: An opportunity to address societal determinants of health in the United States. (n.d.). Retrieved from: Healthy People 2020: An Opportunity to Address Societal Determinants of Health in the United States.
Healthy People 2030: Building a healthier future for all. (n.d.). Retrieved March 27, 2022, from https://health.gov/healthypeople
Hossain, A. (2021). The pain gap: How sexism and racism in healthcare kill women. Tiller Press.
Institute of Medicine. (2011). The Health of Lesbian, Gay, bisexual, and transgender people: Building a foundation for better understanding (Vol. 49). The National Academies Press. https://doi.org/10.17226/13128
Johnson, J. L., Greaves, L., & Repta, R. (2007). Better science with sex and gender: A primer for health research. Women’s Health Research Network.
Juster, R.-P., McEwen, B. S., & Lupien, S. J. (2010). Allostatic load biomarkers of chronic stress and impact on health and cognition. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews, 35(1), 2–16. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neubiorev.2009.10.002
Lloyd, E. P., Paganini, G. A., & ten Brinke, L. (2020). Gender stereotypes explain disparities in pain care and inform equitable policies. Policy Insights From the Behavioral and Brain Sciences, 7(2), 198–204. https://doi.org/10.1177/2372732220942894
Mays, V. M., Juster, R.-P., Williamson, T. J., Seeman, T. E., & Cochran, S. D. (2018). Chronic physiologic effects of stress among lesbian, gay, and bisexual adults: Results from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Psychosomatic Medicine, 80(6), 551–563. https://doi.org/10.1097/psy.0000000000000600
Meyer, I. H. (2003). Prejudice, social stress, and Mental Health in lesbian, gay, and bisexual populations: Conceptual issues and research evidence. Psychological Bulletin, 129(5), 674–697. https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-2909.129.5.674
Mpofu, E. (2015). Community-oriented health services: Practices across disciplines. Springer Publishing Company. https://doi.org/10.1891/9780826198181
Mpofu. (2021). Sustainable community health: Systems and practices in diverse settings. E-book: https://discover.library.unt.edu/catalog/b6853909
Owens, D. C. (2017). Medical bondage: Race, gender, and the origins of American gynecology. University of Georgia Press.
Scott-Samuel, A. J. R., Crawshaw, P., & Oakley, A. (2015). “Men behaving badly”: Patriarchy, public policy and health inequalities. International Journal of Men’s Health, 14(3), 250–258. https://doi.org/10.3149/jmh.1403.250
Seelman, K. L., Colón-Diaz, M. J. P., LeCroix, R. H., Xavier-Brier, M., & Kattari, L. (2017). Transgender noninclusive healthcare and delaying care because of fear: Connections to General Health and mental health among transgender adults. Transgender Health, 2(1), 17–28. https://doi.org/10.1089/trgh.2016.0024
Trinh, M.-H., Agénor, M., Austin, S. B., & Jackson, C. L. (2017). Health and healthcare disparities among U.S. women and men at the intersection of sexual orientation and race/ethnicity: A Nationally Representative cross-sectional study. BMC Public Health, 17(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-017-4937-9
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Section Editor information
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2023 Springer Nature Switzerland AG
About this entry
Cite this entry
Zant, O., Pomare, Z.S., Alagood, J. (2023). Health Disparities: Gender and Sexual Orientation. In: Shackelford, T.K. (eds) Encyclopedia of Sexual Psychology and Behavior. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-08956-5_2464-1
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-08956-5_2464-1
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Cham
Print ISBN: 978-3-031-08956-5
Online ISBN: 978-3-031-08956-5
eBook Packages: Springer Reference Behavioral Science and PsychologyReference Module Humanities and Social SciencesReference Module Business, Economics and Social Sciences