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The Lesbian Health & Research Center is dedicated to improving the health and well-being of lesbians, bisexual women and transgender individuals.
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Study: Nearly Four Out Of 10 Lesbians Not Routinely Screened For Cervical Cancer, University Of Maryland Study Shows
Nearly 38 percent of lesbians polled in a national survey were not routinely screened for cervical cancer, putting them at risk of developing a highly preventable cancer, according to a University of Maryland School of Medicine study being presented at the 11th Annual AACR International Conference on Frontiers in Cancer Prevention Research. Cervical cancer is caused by a sexually transmitted virus, the human papillomavirus (HPV), and can be detected through regular Pap smears.Read more
Study: Normalcy, Boundaries, and Heterosexism: An Exploration of Online Lesbian Health Queries
Using data from the Lesbian Health & Research Center (LHRC) at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), this research examines the content of unsolicited queries that have been submitted online by patients to a no-fee, lesbian-focused “Ask the Doctor” service. It quantitatively assesses queries that are of primary concern to lesbians and identifies the broader health and health care topics to which they relate. Read more
Estrogen Lowers Breast Cancer and Heart Attack Risk in Some
A major government study, part of the Women's Health Initiative, has found that years after using Estrogen-only therapy for treatment of menopause, certain women had a markedly reduced rise of breast cancer and heart attack. Read more
Lesbian Health Fund: Call for Submissions
The Lesbian Health Fund, a project of the Gay and Lesbian Medical Association is accepting proposals for research on lesbian health. LHR is especially interested in applications that address the diversity of sexual minority women's communities and studies of health promotion and health improvement in lesbian and bisexual women, as well as studies that are potentially publishable and which are conducted as first steps toward larger grant applications. Proposals for the Spring grant cycle are due MAY 15, 2011. Grants range from $500 - $10,000. Read more
The Summer Institute in LGBT Health: The Fenway Institute's Center for Population Research in LGBT Health
Call for Applications: The Summer Institute in LGBT Health, open to postdoctoral trainees, doctoral students, and advanced Masters' students, provides participants with foundational training in interdisciplinary theory, knowledge, and methods for conducting population research in sexual and gender minority health. To be held July 18-August 12 in Boston, the institute includes a 3-week seminar that will overview key topics, methods, and perspectives in the study of LGBT Health, a one-week intermediate level statistics and data analysis course, and hands-on training and supervision in working on an independent analysis project with LGBT population health data. There is no cost for tuition and slots are available for free housing in Boston University dormitories during the institute. Applications are due April 18, 2011. The Summer Institute is part of the National Mentoring and Training Program of the Center for Population Research in LGBT Health at The Fenway Institute and is co-sponsored by the Boston University School of Public Health. Applicants are encouraged to contact Aimee Van Wagenen for more information (summerinstitute@lgbtpopcenter.org). Read more
Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI) - DEADLINE TO APPLY - February 4, 2011
CHCI has secured funding from the Bohnett Foundation for two LGBT or Ally students during the Summer 2011 Congressional Internship, the nation's most prestigious Latino Leadership Program. This is a $2,500 paid internship on Capitol Hill for 8 weeks and includes free round-trip travel to Washington, DC, and all housing expenses paid. The internship offers students an opportunity to develop their leadership skills and gain exposure to the world of public policy and politics. Read more
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP): Press Release
Expert panel assembled by AFSP publishes review and recommendations on LGBT Suicide and Suicide Risk. A call for action to address knowledge and prevention gaps. Read more
Healthy People 2020 Launched!
For the first time, Healthy People has included LGBT Health as a specific topic area within the main document. It includes four comprehensive fact sheets on lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender health. Read more
Study: Children of Lesbians May Do Better Than Their Peers
Children raised by lesbian mothers scored similarly to children raised by heterosexual parents on measures of development and social behavior. Authors, Nanette Gartrell and Henry Bos were surprised to find that children in lesbian homes scored higher than kids in straight families on some psychological measures of self-esteem and confidence, did better academically and were less likely to have behavioral problems, such as rule-breaking and aggression. Read more