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. 2014 Jun;104(6):976-81.
doi: 10.2105/AJPH.2014.301876. Epub 2014 Apr 17.

Promoting the successful development of sexual and gender minority youths

Kenneth H Mayer  1 , Robert Garofalo, Harvey J Makadon
Affiliations

Promoting the successful development of sexual and gender minority youths

Kenneth H Mayer et al. Am J Public Health. 2014 Jun.

Abstract

Because of societal discomfort with atypical expressions of sexual orientation and gender identity, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) youths have experienced enhanced developmental challenges compared with their heterosexual peers. A recent special issue of the American Journal of Public Health delineated how social stigma affecting LGBT youths has resulted in a wide range of health disparities, ranging from increased prevalence of depression and substance use to downstream effects, such as an increased risk for cancer and cardiovascular disease when older. We review the clinical significance of these findings for health care professionals, who need to become informed about these associations to provide better care for their sexual and gender minority youth patients, and to be able to educate their parents and other caregivers.

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References

    1. Mayer KH, Bradford JB, Makadon HJ et al. Sexual and gender minority health: what we know and what needs to be done. Am J Public Health. 2008;98(6):989–995. - PMC - PubMed
    1. Stall R, Mills TC, Williamson J et al. Association of co-occurring psychosocial health problems and increased vulnerability to HIV/AIDS among urban men who have sex with men. Am J Public Health. 2003;93(6):939–942. - PMC - PubMed
    1. Stall R, Friedman M, Catania J. Interacting epidemics and gay men’s health: a theory of syndemic production among urban gay men. In: Wolitski RJ, Stall R, Valdiserri RO, editors. Unequal Opportunity: Health Disparities Among Gay and Bisexual Men in the United States. New York, NY: Oxford University Press; 2008. pp. 25–274.
    1. Makadon H, Mayer KH, Potter J, Goldhammer H. The Fenway Guide to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Health. Philadelphia, PA: American College of Physicians Press; 2008. pp. 1–526.
    1. Institute of Medicine. The Health of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender People: Building a Foundation for Better Care. Washington, DC: National Academy of Science Press; 2011. - PubMed

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