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Vickie M. Mays, PhD, MSPH, Antronette K. Yancey, MD, MPH, Susan D. Cochran, PhD, MS, Mark Weber, PhD and Jonathan E. Fielding, MD, MPH

Vickie M. Mays is with the Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles. Antronette K. Yancey is with the Department of Community Health Sciences and the Division of Cancer Prevention and Control Research, School of Public Health, University of California, Los Angeles. She is also with the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services, as is Mark Weber. Susan D. Cochran is with the Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of California, Los Angeles. Jonathan E. Fielding is with the Department of Health Services, School of Public Health, University of California, Los Angeles, and the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services.

Correspondence: Requests for reprints should be sent to Vickie M. Mays, PhD, MSPH, Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles, 405 Hilgard Ave, 1285 Franz Hall, Box 951563, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1563 (e-mail: mays{at}ucla.edu).

Objectives. This study compared health indicators among self-identified lesbians/bisexual women and heterosexual women residing in Los Angeles County.

Methods. Respondents were English-speaking Hispanic, African American, and Asian American women. Health status, behavioral risks, access barriers, and indicators of health care were assessed.

Results. Prevalence rates of chronic health conditions were similar among women in the 3 racial/ethnic groups. However, lesbians and bisexual women evidenced higher behavioral risks and lower rates of preventive care than heterosexual women.

Conclusions. Among racial/ethnic minority women, minority sexual orientation is associated with increased health risks. The effects of sexual minority status need to be considered in addressing health disparities affecting this population.

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