Association Between Being Out About Sexual Orientation to Primary Healthcare Provider and Physical Health Among Sexual Minority Women

Introduction: Health disparities exist among sexual minority women (SMW) compared to heterosexual women. Previous research suggests SMW are at a higher risk for diseases due to delayed screening and fear of coming out to physical healthcare providers (PHP). We examined the association between degree of outness to PHP and physical health among SMW.

Methods: Participants were recruited from the Creating Change Conference, January 29-February 2, 2014 in Houston, TX and online through March 1, 2014. Eligible respondents were at least 18 years old, consented to the survey, and self-identified as SMW. Physical health was measured using the Short Form 12 Health Survey, Physical Component Scale (PCS). PCS>50 denotes better than average physical health. Degree of outness to PHP was measured by the Outness Inventory which ranges from definitely does not know to definitely knows about sexual orientation.

Results: 133 self-identified SMW completed the survey (61 lesbian, 53 bisexual, and 19 queer/non-heterosexual). Using multivariable logistic models, those who were out to their PHP were over 11 times more likely to be in better than average health than those who were less out (p=0.002) after adjusting for age, BMI, current smoking status, alcohol use, insurance status, education, relationship status, sexual orientation group, and mental health status.

Conclusion: These results indicate that being more “out” and open about sexual orientation with your PHP is associated with better health for SMW after controlling for other demographic factors and possible confounders. Further research is necessary to establish the effect of coming out on general health.