Understanding Sexual Minority Health Disparities in Rural Areas. Issue 2 (7th December 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Woodell, Brandi
• Is Part Of: Sociology compass. Volume 12:Issue 2(2018)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2017-12-07
• Subjects: Socioology -- Periodicals; 301
• DOI: 10.1111/soc4.12553
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1751-9020

Abstract

Abstract: This article reviews research from several disciplines including sociology, psychology, and public health to examine recent inconsistencies in findings of rural/urban health disparities among sexual minority populations. Previous work has found that sexual minorities (lesbian, gay, and bisexual individuals) report worse health than their heterosexual counterparts on many physical and mental health measures. To understand this occurrence, scholars have situated these findings most often within either minority stress or fundamental cause frameworks. These theories attribute health differences to unique stressors and stigmatization experienced by sexual minorities within a heteronormative social climate. This review provides an overview of specific health disparities by gender and sexual orientation, critically examines research on rural/urban health differences among sexual minorities, and offers three avenues for future research to help remedy the inconsistent results of previous rural/urban sexual minority health disparities research. Discussions of the 'rural effect, ' rural social support resources, and the importance of geographic region for health are included as opportunities to further social scientific research on sexual minority health disparities.