LGBT Appalachians: Tobacco use and social connectedness

Background: The 2011 Institute of Medicine (IOM) report, The Health of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual,and Transgender People, cited disparities in health outcomes and inequities in healthcare access for sexual and gender minorities (SGM). The National Institutes of Health (NIH) report on the continued gaps in research highlighted the impact of smoking on health, as well how behavioral risks and protective factors impact health over time. Many studies conducted in urban settings demonstrate high rates of smoking among SGM. Appalachian Kentucky is estimated to have at least 24,000 SGM who are likely to be at even higher than usual risk of disparities in a place where overall smoking prevalence is nearly double the national average. Elucidating the roles of peer pressure, social isolation, and group belonging is key to designing interventions that get at the root of the risk-taking behavior, and none of these have ever been explored in rural SGM with regard to tobacco use. Methods: Online, widely-distributed survey with descriptive and comparative quantitative analysis. The survey was constructed based on qualitative pilot data collected through interviews of Appalachia SGM smokers and non-smokers. Results: In progress with data collection to be completed summer 2013. Description of the sample, tobacco use, and social support. Comparative statistics to determine associations of tobacco use and social network factors. Discussion: This presentation will present survey results and generate discussion concerning reaching rural SGM populations, sampling considerations, and use of social network analysis in improving health for rural SGM.