#LGBTWellness News – How Happy Are We?

Each week LGBT HealthLink, a Program of CenterLink, and researcher and blogger Corey Prachniak-Rincón bring you a round-up of some of the biggest LGBTQ wellness stories from the past week.

Study Assesses Queer Happiness

UNAIDS and the LGBT Foundation announced a new international study on the happiness, quality of life, and sexual practices of LGBT people. They hope that the first-of-its-kind survey will help advocates for LGBT health and equality. The survey is now live for participants to take online.

Low Knowledge on Anal Cancer Risk

Researchers found low levels of awareness of anal cancer and HPV risk among gay and bisexual men, including those living with HIV, despite higher risk in these populations. Fifty-two (52%) of queer men living with HIV and 68% of HIV-negative queer men thought (falsely) they had the same or lower risk than the general population, and few had discussed risks with their doctor.

Time to Talk about Trans Parenthood

NBC News reported on the challenges that transgender people face in getting accurate information about their fertility options. The article profiles a transgender couple in which a man was told he would have to go off hormones for at least 18 months and may never be able to get pregnant – but who was able to do so after 3 months. Transgender health in general, including with respect to fertility, is seldom given attention in medical education.

Cervical Cancer Guidelines Missed

A new study found that sexual minority women had less than half the odds (0.457) of being current with cervical cancer screenings, which facilitates early detection and thus can save lives. Interestingly, the study found that how sexual minority women were identified, for the purposes of collecting the data, played an important role in observing this disparity.

Turning IT into Better Data and Health

NIH announced new research on how to leverage health information technology (IT) to address health disparities, including those faced by sexual and gender minorities. Improving data on our community’s health has been a focus of LGBT HealthLink’s partnership with the national All of Us campaign.

Recognizing Older Adults Month

Movement Advancement Project marked Older Adults Month by sharing research and resources for LGBT older adults. These include a report outlining the needs of the 1.1 million LGBT people aged 65-plus in the U.S. today, and a special analysis of the growing population of bisexual older adults. Yahoo also reported on National LGBT Elders Day.