"American Journal of Public Health Special Issue:
New Research on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Health
First Peer-Reviewed Public Health Journal to Focus on Broad Range of
Health Issues
Represents Turning Point in LGBT Health

 Washington, DC (Thursday, May 31, 2001) – Today long-awaited public
health research was released in the June 2001 issue of the American
Journal of Public Health (AJPH), the nation’s leading public health
journal.  For the first time in its 91-year history, the Journal
features lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) health as a theme
and through over 25 articles, commentaries, field reports and
editorials the June 2001 issue of AJPH presents new research on some of
the health concerns facing LGBT communities.

The research published explores various topics related to LGBT health
such as:  violence and victimization of LGB youth; health behaviors,
including risk related to cigarette smoking and preventive health
practices; health status and needs of transgender individuals;
innovations in studying gay populations; an increase in HIV and other
STDs among gay
men; commentaries and field reports address state and federal
responses to the needs of LGBT populations, health and human rights.

“This issue of the Journal represents a turning point in LGBT health,”
said Ilan Meyer, PhD, guest editor of the issue and assistant professor
at Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health.  “ For many
years the majority of LGBT research published focused on HIV/AIDS
and other sexually transmitted diseases.   This research must continue,
but there is a broad range of health care issues in the LGBT
population that must also be examined.  The publication of this issue
broadens the scope of research and reveals areas where research is
needed.”

The June publication of the Journal, which coincides with Lesbian and
Gay Pride Month, is preceded by an American Public Health
Association resolution on the need for research on the relationship
between disease and gender identity and sexual orientation, an Institute
of Medicine report on lesbian health, and the inclusion of gay men and
lesbians among groups targeted for reducing disparities in health
outcomes in the US government’s Healthy People 2010 blueprint for public health.

“Substantial challenges stand in the way of gathering knowledge about
LGBT populations.  Some are methodological; others are related to
homophobia and heterosexism, which place LGBT studies outside the
mainstream in importance and allocation of resources,” said Mary
Northridge, PhD, MPH, MT, editor of AJPH.  “That said, the Journal
received close to 100 submissions on LGBT health in the fall of 2000,
without having issued a formal call for papers.  Clearly, the public
health community has been waiting for an outlet for research in this
area.”

“We trust that by providing a platform for LGBT health in the Journal,
we will help to direct additional resources and attention toward
advancing LGBT health – and therefore the health of all,” said
Northridge.

Published by the American Public Health Association since 1911, the
American Journal of Public Health is a peer-reviewed monthly of
original research, program evaluation and special public health reports.

The American Public Health Association, the largest and oldest
organization of public health professionals, represents more than
50,000 members from over 50 public health occupations."





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