Mass Department of Public Health: A Health Profile of Massachusetts Adults by Sexual Orientation Identity
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Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of Public Health
A Health Profile of Massachusetts Adults by Sexual Orientation Identity: Results from the 2001-2006 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Surveys
Prepared by K.J. Conron, ScD1, MPH, M.J. Mimiaga2,3, ScD, MPH, S.J. Landers4,5, JD, MCP
for the Massachusetts Department of Public Health
SUMMARY
A growing body of research indicates that health disparities exist between
gay/lesbian/bisexuals and heterosexuals. For the first time, population-based estimates
of sexual orientation differences in adult health are available in the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts. This report used data collected for the 2001-2006 Massachusetts
Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System surveys to compare self-reported health
behavior and status among (n=38,910) heterosexual/straight, gay/lesbian/homosexual,
and bisexual adults ages 18-64. Most (97.1%) self-identified as heterosexual or straight,
while 1.9% identified as gay, lesbian or homosexual, and 1.0% as bisexual.
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