Lesbian and health issue

Question: Discuss about the Lesbian and health issue. Answer: Social Determinants of Depression and Anxiety among Lesbians Often scientists have studied the relationship between social inequality and health inequality to evaluate the risk factors related to health status of individuals. Public policies have played an important role in tackling the social inequalities and related health inequalities in a population (Liang et al., 2012). In most developing countries and in some developed countries nonheterosexual behaviors are devalued and looked upon with negative attitude. In general, youths and adolescents face immense mental stress due to psychological transformations; in case of lesbian youths the condition is further worsened due to discrimination and a sense of minority in the society (Logie, 2012). Homophobia, perceived stigma and discrimination are the risk factors that often lead to increased anxiety and suicidality among the sexual minorities. Similar to gender, race or ethnicity, sexual orientation is proved to be one of the factors for the distribution of health and well-being among a population (Hoy-Ellis, 2015). Health care provided to lesbians is also negatively affected due to lack of exposure and prevalence of misunderstanding of their medical and psychiatric conditions. One study explored how social support from family and friends, relationships and orientation disclosure relate to depression among a group of lesbians (Baams, Grossman Russell, 2015). A culture is often defined broadly as a collection of activities followed by a group of people, which inevitably distinguishes themselves from other social groups. It may involve sharing of symbols, following different sets of personalities and values. Consequently every society in human history has produced gender cultures. Along with evolution of feminism in the late 20th century lesbian culture has undergone a great deal of evolution (Cooper, 2013). The lesbian culture includes works historical and contemporary artists and political figures, understanding of the social movement carried out by the community, distinct figures and identities. Due to discrimination towards the minority group often such cultures prove to deteriorate the quality of healthcare they deserve. Lesbians who follow lesbian culture without inhibition often suffer from lack of familial and social support, which even extrapolates to healthcare professionals (Fuss, 2013). References Baams, L., Grossman, A. H., Russell, S. T. (2015). Minority stress and mechanisms of risk for depression and suicidal ideation among lesbian, gay, and bisexual youth.Developmental psychology,51(5), 688. Cooper, S. E. (2013).Lesbian images in international popular culture. Routledge. Fuss, D. (2013).Inside/out: Lesbian theories, gay theories. Routledge. Hoy-Ellis, C. P. (2015).The Mental Health of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Older Adults: Do Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Play Differential Roles?(Doctoral dissertation). Liang, Y., Gong, Y. H., Wen, X. P., Guan, C. P., Li, M. C., Yin, P., Wang, Z. Q. (2012). Social determinants of health and depression: a preliminary investigation from rural China.PloS one,7(1), e30553. Logie, C. (2012). The case for the World Health Organizations Commission on the Social Determinants of Health to address sexual orientation.American journal of public health,102(7), 1243-1246.