Your GP Would Most Likely Neglect You If You’re Gay and British
A recently concluded survey of gay and bisexual men showed that their health needs are often neglected. The GMC has reminded doctors of their duty to avoid discrimination.
According to onmedica
Respondents reported higher than average levels of domestic abuse, mental ill health and use of alcohol, tobacco and illegal drugs, but said that services tended to focus purely on sexual health.
Stonewall had responses from 6861 gay and bisexual men from across Britain to its health survey, the largest ever conducted. This showed that a third of gay and bisexual men who have accessed healthcare services in the past year have had a negative experience related to their sexual orientation; and a third of gay and bisexual men are not out to their GP or healthcare professionals – they are more likely to be out to their manager, colleagues, family and friends than their GP.
Unmet health needs are common among gay and bisexual men. In the past year, 3% of gay men and 5% of bisexual men had attempted suicide, compared with 0.4% of men generally. One in six gay and bisexual men aged 16-24 have harmed themselves in the past year.
