Physical Health Disparities Across Dimensions of Sexual Orientation, Race/Ethnicity, and Sex: Evidence for Increased Risk Among Bisexual Adults

Abstract

Accumulating evidence suggests that sexual minority individuals are at increased risk for physical health conditions compared to heterosexual individuals. However, we know little about physical health disparities affecting bisexual individuals, a population at increased risk for psychiatric and substance use conditions compared to both heterosexual and lesbian/gay populations. Using a large, nationally representative sample, we examined physical health disparities for bisexual individuals. To advance research on sexual minority health disparities, we further: (1) compared prevalence rates of physical health conditions across three dimensions of sexual orientation (i.e., identity, attractions, behavior) and (2) examined whether disparities differed by sex and race/ethnicity. Results indicated that sexual minority individuals were at increased risk for many physical health conditions. Notably, individuals with bisexual identity, attractions, and/or behavior were at increased risk for more physical health conditions than other sexual minority groups. The number and types of physical health disparities affecting bisexually identified individuals and individuals with same- and opposite-sex attractions and/or sexual partners varied across sex and race/ethnicity, with the most consistent disparities emerging for individuals who reported same- and opposite-sex sexual partners. Our findings highlight the substantial physical health disparities affecting sexual minorities and the heightened risk conferred by all facets of bisexuality.

Sexual Orientation Differences in Modifiable Risk Factors for Cardiovascular Disease and Cardiovascular Disease Diagnoses in Men

“…A recent study conducted by Dyar et al found that bisexualidentified men had higher rates of self-reported obesity, high total cholesterol, and hypertension than heterosexual men. 50 We did not identify significant differences for high total cholesterol. However, our findings were consistent for obesity and hypertension.…”

Comparing the Impact of COVID-19-Related Social Distancing on Mood and Psychiatric Indicators in Sexual and Gender Minority (SGM) and Non-SGM Individuals

“…Nonetheless, bisexual identity is not the driver of mental health disparities per se. Instead, previous studies indicate that individuals who report bisexual identity experience greater levels of bi-negativity from both the heterosexual and lesbian/gay communities [e.g., (58)(59)(60)(61)(62)]. Minority stress drives mental health disparities.…”

Is There a Bias in the Diagnosis of Borderline Personality Disorder Among Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Patients?

“…Bisexual individuals are often at increased risk for negative health outcomes compared with heterosexual individuals, as well as lesbian/gay individuals in many cases (Dyar et al, 2019; Feinstein & Dyar, 2017; Taggart et al, 2019). Our results suggest that the observed differences in the diagnosis of BPD between sexual minority and heterosexual patients were largely driven by differences between bisexual and heterosexual patients.…”

“…Previous literature documents important differences in outcomes across sexual minority subgroups. Specifically, bisexual individuals routinely evidence worse mental and physical health outcomes compared with lesbian/gay identified individuals (Dyar et al, 2019; Feinstein & Dyar, 2017; Taggart et al, 2019). As such, we further compared prevalence of BPD diagnosis between heterosexual patients and (a) patients who reported lesbian/gay sexual orientation as well as (b) patients who reported bisexual sexual orientation separately.…”