Culturally (In)competent? Dismantling Health Care Barriers for Sexual Minority Women

Abstract

Lesbian and bisexual (LB) women exhibit elevated rates of a variety of behaviors (i.e., smoking, excessive caloric intake, physical inactivity, heavy alcohol consumption) that put them at risk for adverse health consequences. Furthermore, LB women experience numerous barriers to obtaining culturally competent health care. In this article we review risk behaviors and health care barriers and we discuss the role of stress as an important contributing factor in LB women’s health outcomes. We suggest future research, health care delivery changes, and training improvements that will prepare social workers to effectively address the needs of their LB clients.

KEYWORDS:

• lesbian and bisexual women
• barriers to health care
• cultural competency
• health disparities
• sexual minority stress