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The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Community and Respiratory Health

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Achieving Respiratory Health Equality

Part of the book series: Respiratory Medicine ((RM))

Abstract

Health disparities related to sexual orientation have been relatively unexplored. Determining the impact of respiratory diseases in sexual minorities is difficult, given challenges in defining sexual orientation and few available data. Limited access to care or lack of provider education may lead to under-recognition of respiratory diseases in the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community. Because of high prevalence of cigarette smoking, some subgroups within the LBGT community appear to be at risk for certain lung diseases (acute respiratory illnesses, asthma, and lung cancer), but data are inconclusive. Homosexual men are also at risk for HIV infection, which causes respiratory morbidity and may contribute to a higher risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Additional research and education are needed to improve the respiratory health of LGBT individuals and inform physicians regarding appropriate care for this population. Prevention and cessation of tobacco use present unique challenges in the LGBT community, but are of the utmost importance.

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Abbreviations

COPD:

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

FEV1 :

Forced expiratory volume in 1 s

FVC:

Forced vital capacity

GOLD:

Global Initiative on Obstructive Lung Disease

HIV:

Human immunodeficiency virus

LGBT:

Lesbian gay, bisexual, and transgender

MSM:

Men seeking men

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medicine, Duke University, 330 Trent Drive, Durham, NC, 27710, USA

    Emily Clausen MD

  2. Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, 628 NW Montefiore University Hospital, 3459 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA

    Alison Morris MD, MS

Authors
  1. Emily Clausen MD
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  2. Alison Morris MD, MS
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Alison Morris MD, MS .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Pediatric Pulmonary Medicine, Allergy, and Immunology, Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA

    Juan Carlos Celedón

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Clausen, E., Morris, A. (2017). The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Community and Respiratory Health. In: Celedón, J. (eds) Achieving Respiratory Health Equality. Respiratory Medicine. Humana Press, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-43447-6_7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-43447-6_7

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  • Publisher Name: Humana Press, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-43445-2

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-43447-6

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

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