Center for Population Research in L G B T Health

improving health for sexual and gender minorities

Welcome!

Over the past three decades, a growing cadre of scientists has painstakingly built the knowledge base around LGBT health concerns. It is now widely acknowledged that sexual and gender minority groups experience health disparities as a result of multiple socio-cultural factors. Studies have shown that lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender populations have higher prevalence of life-threatening physical and mental health conditions, experience barriers to health care access, and face substantial threats to quality of life.

The Center for Population Research in LGBT Health supports and stimulates research to fill critical knowledge gaps related to the health of sexual and gender minorities, strengthening the foundation for culturally competent treatment and behavior change models. Our scientific vision is to create an infrastructure that will support the collaborative work of LGBT health researchers and integrate intellectual and methodological expertise in the interdisciplinary fields of LGBT health and population research. We aim for a synergistic increase in productivity as a result. The Center supports the work of collaborating scientists and partner organizations by creating opportunities to meet and plan further research, formalizing a mentorship process for junior scientists, making datasets available for further studies, and creating a platform for ongoing communication and shared projects among the group.

Featured Findings

Age of First Anal Intercourse Dropping Among MSM

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Recent evidence suggests that men who have sex with men (MSM) are initiating anal intercourse at earlier ages. A Swiss study reveled that the mean age at first anal intercourse fell from 24.5 years among men born before 1965 to 20.0 years among men born between 1975 and 1984. The study also found that younger cohorts of MSM have been initiating anal intercourse with increasingly older partners. (more) Researchers surveyed 2,200 MSM living in Switzerland in 2004 as part of the nation's HIV behavioral surveillance. Participants were recruited from gay community venues and on-line. The study found the following relationships:

  • Between 20 and 30% of men engage in first anal sex with men 10 or more years older than themselves
  • The younger the age at first anal intercourse, the less likely the use of condoms
  • Use of condoms at first anal intercourse was less likely when the age gap between the partners was greater

(Source: Balthasar, H., Jeannin, A., Dubois-Arber, F., 2008, "First Anal Intercourse and Condom Use among Men Who Have Sex with Men in Switzerland," Archives of Sexual Behavior, June 17).

For Further Thought

  • Do these findings suggest a need for LGBT- specific content in sexual health education for adolescents?
  • What are some obstacles to integrating LGBT-specific content in sex education?

 

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