National LGBT Health Awareness Week

This year the theme of LGBT Health Awareness Week is Closing the Gap. The LGBT community has, on average, worse health outcomes and less access to the care we need than the straight community. We cannot afford to ignore the gap anymore. We need to educate ourselves and our health care providers about our unique health needs as well as our health risks. We need to commit to closing the gap, because everyone deserves good health!

To help accomplish this, we have provided many resources. You can learn more about specific health issues relevant to the LGBT community, download and print out fact sheets, find events to attend and see ideas of simple ways individuals and organizations can get involved.

More information on how to get involved and download materials here.

H/T to Feministing.

Organization Spotlight: Gay Mens Health Crisis

Gay Mens Health Crisis (GMHC) is the world’s first and leading provider of HIV/AIDS prevention, care and advocacy.

World Cancer Day - LGBT Resources

Today is World Cancer Day and its aim is to create awareness about cancer, and to encourage prevention, detection, and early treatment.

The organizers of WCD maintain that studies show 43% of cancers can be prevented through healthy behaviors:

* Stop tobacco use and avoid exposure to second-hand smoke
* Limit alcohol consumption
* Avoid excessive sun exposure
* Maintain a healthy weight, through eating healthily and exercising regularly
* Protect against cancer-causing infections

LGBT Resources for support, treatment, and prevention:

Information:
ACS Cancer facts for lesbian/bisexual women

Centers for Disease Control LGBT Health

Trans-health


Advocacy & Screening:
National LGBT Cancer Network

Mautner Project (National Lesbian Health Organization)

Gay and Lesbian Medical Association

Lesbian Community Care Project

National LGBT Tobacco Control Network


Support:
OUT With Cancer

Organization Spotlight: Gay and Lesbian Association of Dentists and Doctors (GLADD)

The Gay and Lesbian Association of Dentists and Doctors (GLADD) is available for those in the United Kingdom looking for help/support/advice or to make social contacts with other LGBT dentists and doctors.