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Jason Roberts, MPH and Jessie Brosseau, MPH. Division of Health Surveillance, Vermont Department of Health, 108 Cherry Street, PO Box 70, Burlington, VT 05402-0070, 802-863-7303, jrobert@vdh.state.vt.us
Methods: Assessed the demographics and smoking prevalence of the GLBT community in Vermont using the 2002 and 2003 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) data. Categories of heterosexual, homosexual, bi-sexual and “other” were assigned using a combination of self-identification and sexual practice in the last 12 months. All analyses were done on a combined 2002-2003 dataset.
Results: Approximately 3.1% of the VT population identifies as homosexual, 2.2% bi-sexual and 2.1% “other”. The proportion of Vermonters who are homosexual is significantly higher for ages less than 65 (3.4% vs. 1.5%). A significantly higher proportion of females (2.8% vs. 1.6%) and ages 18-29 (3.9% vs. 1.7%) are bisexual. A significantly higher proportion ages 65+ list their orientation as “other” (3.4% vs. 1.8%). Homosexual smoking rates are similar to heterosexuals rates overall (25.1% vs. 21.4% respectively) and by sex and age. Bisexual smoking rates are higher than heterosexuals overall (36.4% vs. 21.4%), for 18-24 year olds (66.4% vs. 31.8%) and among females (36.1% vs. 20.3%). For people listing “other”, the smoking rates significantly differed overall (31.2% vs. 21.4%), ages 18-24 (70.3% vs. 31.8%), ages 25-44 (44.3% vs. 25.1%) and among females (34.1% vs. 20.3%) compared to heterosexuals. Analyses relating to race were not included due to the small number of non-white respondents (96.7% white non-Hispanic).
Discussion: While smoking rates among homosexuals do not differ significantly from the smoking rates among heterosexuals, smoking rates among bisexuals and Vermonters who list their orientation as “other” are significantly higher in certain groups and needs more study.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the poster the reader will have
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.