Synopsis Despite the paucity of population-based research on the health status and health needs of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) individuals, there is evidence of health disparities between sexual minority and heterosexual populations. Although the focus of LGBT health research has been HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted infection among men who have sex with men, there is some documentation of health disparities among sexual minority women, with sexual minority women reporting poorer mental and physical health, in addition to less access to and less health care utilization. Using the minority stress framework, these disparities may be due in part to individual prejudice, social stigma and discrimination. To ensure equitable health for all, there is urgent need for targeted culturally sensitive health promotion, cultural sensitivity training for healthcare providers and intervention focused research.

E-health literacy is the ability to gather and appropriately process health information retrieved online. Like traditional health literacy, higher levels of e-health literacy may work to support health decision making and thereby improve health outcomes. Some populations frequently identified as at risk for health disparities, are also in danger of falling in to the e-health literacy “gap.” The following paper explores the barriers to attaining e-health literacy for vulnerable populations. The paper illustrates how a narrow focus on increasing technology access is insufficient to address disparities in e-health literacy, and provides a preliminary agenda for health promotion professionals to better address the e-health literacy gap in research and practice.

Hypertension continues to emerge globally as one of the most dangerous cardiovascular disease risk factors. The toll of hypertension as a chronic disease on population health and the resultant impact on the often already stressed medical systems of developing nations is a serious concern. Shifting existing paradigm and resources from communicable to chronic disease prevention continues to be a formidable task. This article presents the results of a cross-section analysis of Adansi South, Ghana, residents (N = 539) 5 years and older to investigate the blood pressure status and select hypertension risk factors across all age groups. Approximately a third of Adansi South respondents (27.1%) were identified as hypertensive. While the largest percent of the hypertensive subset was in the 40 to 59 age group, of concern was the emerging pattern among young and adolescent respondents who were either identified as hypertensive and/or having modifiable risk factors for hypertension like elevated body mass index (BMI). A rationale for expanding adolescent health education and health promotion is offered, and alternative methods for deploying health promotion activities in resource-limited areas are proposed and discussed.

Health professionals face increasing demands to work across discipline lines to improve patient outcomes. Learning interdisciplinary communication skills at the preprofessional level is crucial to nursing and allied health student preparation. Today’s students are technologically savvy, tired of traditional education, and often have diverse learning needs. The purpose of the pilot study was to examine the effectiveness of an interdisciplinary case study and simulation model to educate students enrolled in various health professions about asthma care and patient education. The interdisciplinary case study simulation model showed a significant advantage for both student enjoyment of the learning process and students’ confidence to coordinate care across disciplines.