These pages focus on the health disparities in the Pittsburgh region. They give important health information as well as information about research opportunities and community resources. All articles can also be accessed online at the New Pittsburgh Courier website. The monthly series is a partnership of the New Pittsburgh Courier, Community PARTners (a core service of the University of Pittsburgh’s Clinical and Translational Science Institute—CTSI), the Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh and the UPMC Center for Inclusion.
This month the “Take Charge of Your Health” page focuses on lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) health. Vianca Masucci, health advocate at the Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh, and Esther L. Bush, president and CEO of the Urban League, sat down to talk about LGB health.
VM: I’m excited about the opportunity to talk about LGB health with you, Ms. Bush. I think it’s a topic that’s not given enough attention.
EB: Absolutely, Vianca. This is an important issue to discuss because, at its core, it’s an issue of health equality. As these “Take Charge” pages have shown us throughout the past few years, social factors, such as race, gender sexual orientation, influence health outcomes. So, when we think about ways to achieve health equality, we need to consider how a community’s unique social factors will dictate their health needs. For example, LGB individuals are much more likely to be targets of abuse due to widespread discrimination.
VM: When I think of issues of LGB health, I’m reminded of the health disparities in the African American community. Hearing the words “discrimination” and “abuse,” I especially can’t help but reflect on the current issues that our nation is struggling against.
EB: Yes. In fact, I was taken back to a Huey Newton quote: “We must gain security in ourselves and therefore have respect and feelings for all oppressed people.” All work towards equality, health or otherwise, is valuable to every oppressed community.
VM: I agree, Ms. Bush, always keeping in sight that the LGB community is not separate from the African American community. There are LGB individuals in our community. We are all brothers and sisters, and we must all progress together.
EB: Well stated, Vianca. I think that’s a wonderful note to close on.
If anyone has questions about the “Tale Charge of Your Health Today” pages, contact Community PARTners at partners@hs.pitt.edu.
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