Mental and Physical Health Disparities Among Sexual and Gender Minority Adolescents Based on Disability Status

Experiences of stress and social safety among sexual and gender minority youth by disability status

BACKGROUND

Though separate bodies of research have shown sexual and gender minority (SGM) youth, and youth with disabilities, separately, face distinct social and health disparities, little is known about youth who both identify as SGM and have disabilities.

OBJECTIVE

The current study examined differences in wellbeing among SGM youth by disability category (i.e., physical, developmental, psychiatric) across victimization, bullying, dating violence, school safety, and experienced stress.

METHODS

Using self-reported data from 9418 SGM youth aged 13-17 in the United States, multivariate linear regressions were conducted to examine how stress and social safety experiences varied across disability status.

RESULTS

Compared to SGM youth without a disability, SGM youth across all disability categories (physical, developmental, psychiatric) had greater odds of LGBT- and disability-based victimization, greater average stress, as well as lower levels of school safety. SGM youth with any disability, physical disability, or psychiatric disability also had greater odds of dating violence compared to SGM youth without a disability.

CONCLUSION

SGM youth with disabilities may be in particular need of targeted programs that address both disability and sexual/gender identities, and may benefit from increased supports across developmental contexts (e.g., against bullying in school). Stakeholders should consider how such support can be improved, tailored, and implemented, for SGM youth and the diversity of disabilities they have.

Top Ten Tips Palliative Care Clinicians Should Know About Providing Care for People With Disabilities

Palliative care (PC) clinicians are well poised to help people with disabilities (PWD) live well in the context of serious illness. PC prioritizes person-centered care with a focus on function, autonomy, and quality of life. This approach aligns with principles of high-quality care for PWD. An understanding of the unique experiences and needs of PWD can advance the delivery of comprehensive, equitable PC for this population. In this article, we provide 10 tips to help PC clinicians develop an informed disability lens in their approach to care.

Cervical screening among LGBTQ people: how affirming services may aid in achieving cervical cancer elimination targets

To reach cervical cancer elimination targets it is necessary to increase screening rates among underserved populations such as LGBTQ communities. This paper examines rates of attendance and associated factors of cervical screening in LGBTQ communities. Data from 2,424 people aged 25 to 74 years and assigned female at birth were drawn from an online national Australian survey of LGBTQ adults. Over half of the sample had accessed cervical screening in the past 2 years. Using a multivariable logistic regression analysis, significant associations were found between screening, sociodemographic traits and health-care access. Trans men were least likely to access cervical screening, while bisexual, pansexual and queer identified participants were most likely to access screening. People who lived outside inner-suburban areas and those who had a disability were less likely to have had screening. Evidence of trusting relationships with a general practitioner (having a regular GP and GP's knowledge of the individual's LGBTQ identity) increased the likelihood that participants had screened, as did recent access to a medical service that was LGBTQ-inclusive or catered specifically to LGBTQ communities. The findings suggest the importance of training health providers, as well as targeted public health messaging for increasing uptake of cervical screening among LGBTQ people.

Regulatory role of cytokines on etiology of depression in animal models: their biological mechanisms and clinical implication with physical exercise

It has been known that chronic psychological or physical stress elicits depressive behaviors (learned helplessness, anhedonia, anxiety, etc.) and also activates to release proinflammatory cytokines in the brain. Especially, postmenopausal women under stress condition exacerbates neuroimmune systems and mood disorder. Repeated restraint stress in the ovariectomized female rats poses an immune challenge which was capable of inducing depressive-like behaviors, promoting exaggerated corticosterone responses and changing the proinflammatory cytokine expression such as interleukin (IL)-1β in the brain. Also, anti-inflammatory cytokines including IL-4 are known to regulate inflammation caused by immune response or stress challenge. Furthermore, some studies reported that physical activity can reduce stress hormones and improve personal immunity. Physical exercise has been shown to be associated with decreased symptoms of depression and anxiety, and with improved physical health, immunological function, and psychological well-being. This paper aims to discuss an overview of how stress shapes neuroimmune response and diverse roles of cytokines in animals models, acting on depressive-like behavioral changes; some beneficial aspects of exercise on stress-related disorders are addressed.