Study Finds Homosexual Men Much More Likely to Consult Mental-Health Service Providers

Statistics Canada provides first national picture of health care use by sexual orientation

By Thaddeus M. Baklinski

OTTAWA, March 20, 2008 (LifeSiteNews.com) - A new study published yesterday by Statistics Canada provides the first national picture of health care use by sexual orientation. It shows that the use of health care services differs depending on self-identified sexual preference.

This study confirms the numerous reports LifeSiteNews.com has published that link the homosexual lifestyle to increased risk of both physical and mental disease, and the consequent impact on the Canadian health care system.

The study examined the use of various aspects of health care, such as consulting health care providers, having a regular doctor, and using preventive procedures, by an analysis of data gathered between 2003 and 2005 by the Canadian Community Health Survey for adults aged 18 to 59.

"An estimated 346,000 adults identified themselves as gay, lesbian or bisexual in the survey. These people represented 1.9% of the total population aged 18 to 59. Of this group, 130,000 were gay men, 59,000 bisexual men, 71,000 lesbians, and 85,000 bisexual women," the study revealed.

Despite the impression given by groups that promote homosexuality that at least ten percent of the population is homosexual, the study proves that the actual number of persons involved in homosexuality is quite small - 1.9% of the total population.

It found that homosexual disposed men were much more likely than heterosexual disposed men to have consulted a medical specialist or mental health service providers, such as social workers or counselors, in the year prior to the survey.

About 29% of homosexual men consulted a medical specialist in the 12 months before the survey, compared with 19% of heterosexual men. Similarly, 8% of homosexual men consulted a psychologist, nearly triple the proportion of 3% among their heterosexual counterparts.

Among women, lesbians were less likely than heterosexual women to have seen a family doctor in the year prior to the survey or to have undergone a Pap test in the three previous years. 10% of lesbians consulted a psychologist, as did 11% of bisexual women, well above the proportion of only 4% among heterosexual women.

The study found that homosexual men and bisexual women tended to report more chronic conditions than did the heterosexual population. They were also more likely to have had at least one disability day due to physical illness in the two weeks prior to the survey.

All homosexual groups reported levels of mood or anxiety disorders above those for the heterosexual population.