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Sexual Orientation Differences in Experiences of Discrimination and Markers of Cardiometabolic Health Among Women
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Abstract
Queer populations (including those who identify as lesbian, gay, or bisexual) experience more negative health outcomes than straight populations. This study aims to assess sexual orientation differences in experiences of discrimination and association with markers of cardiometabolic health. Data from the Pioneer Valley Stress Study pilot (2023-2024) were used (N=161 survey participants and N=38 participants who completed study visits). Discrimination was measured using the Everyday Discrimination Scale (including discrimination frequency, situation, and chronicity) and Daily Heterosexist Experiences Questionnaire (including occurrence and distress) while cardiometabolic indicators included cholesterol, waist circumference, waist-hip ratio, BMI, percent body fat, blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, triglycerides, BMI, and resting heart rate. Linear regression models were fit to assess the association between discrimination and cardiometabolic health. Significant differences in EDS situation and frequency scores between queer and heterosexual using clinically significant cut-points of cardiometabolic health markers study participants emerged. Overall, we did not find statistically significant differences in the association between discrimination and cardiometabolic health with the exception of fasting blood glucose. In crude models, higher EDS frequency and situation scores were associated with higher levels of fasting blood glucose (b=0.542, P=0.036, and b=2.06, P=0.003 respectively) among queer participants only. In adjusted models, this association persisted for EDS situation scores (b=2.279, P=0.003). Follow-up is needed to understand how discrimination may be associated with long-term cardiometabolic health.
Type
Thesis (Open Access)
Date
2024-05