scotPHO introduction:
  Ethnic Minorities
  Lesbian, Gay & Bisexual (LGB) People
Key points
  Introduction
  Policy context
  Data
  Key data sources
  Key references and evidence
  Useful links
  Prisoners
Text Only  |  Text Size: A |  A+ |  A++

Lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) people: key points

These pages describe health and risk factor information currently available for the lesbian, gay and bisexual population in Scotland. These terms are used to describe sexual orientation and refer to whether an individual is predominantly attracted to someone of the same sex or of both the same sex and opposite sex. This should be distinguished from definitions based on sexual behaviour.

  • We do not know exactly how many lesbian, gay or bisexual people live in Scotland. Around 5% of men and women report ever having had a same sex partner.
  • The majority of health services research studies involving lesbian, gay, bisexual people have concentrated on sexual health issues although it is likely that other health issues are of equal or greater importance.
  • Cross-sectional surveys from England and Wales have found that lesbian, gay and bisexual people are more likely to report mental health problems than heterosexual people.
  • Some researchers have found higher levels of smoking among the lesbian, gay and bisexual population but this finding is not consistent in all studies.

 

 Section update:

  • The last major update of this section was completed by September 2009
  • The next major update to this section will be carried out by September 2010