October 2000 | Out in the Mountains |13 = health & wellbeing = Gays and Lesbians liiClJCl(-3d in Federal Health Plan BY MARTY Rouse Earlier this year, the US Department of Health and Human Services released its 10-year health promotion and disease prevention plan “Healthy People 2010.” For the first time in the 20- year history of this document, with goals to increase the healthy years of life of all Americans and to eliminate rates of smoking, obesity, alco- hol abuse, and stress than het- erosexual women. The issues surrounding personal, family, and social acceptance of sexu- al orientation can place a sig- nificant burden on mental health and personal safety.” The addition of sexual ori- entation to the list of factors that may lead to health dispari- ties has the potential to increase the attention paid to lesbian and gay health issues The Health Resources and Services Administration is considering a significant effort to fund lesbian and gay primary care clinics. health disparities, the needs and challenges faced by les- bians and gay men are specifi- cally addressed. Ten years ago, HHS cited health disparities among four categories: race/ethnicity, gen- der, geographic location, and income/education. This year, HHS added phys- ical disability and sexual orien- tation to the list, citing enough scientific research to state that these two groups are or appear to be at greater risk for several diseases and/or unhealthy behaviors. “America’s gay and lesbian population comprises a diverse community with disparate health concerns,” states the document. Major health issues for gay men are HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases, substance abuse, depression, and suicide. Some evidence suggests lesbians have higher by not just the federal govem- ment, but also by state and local governments, founda- tions, researchers, and lesbian, and gay organizations. How can this be accom- plished? Many state health departments create their own ten-year health agendas by using HHS’ Healthy People 2010 as a model. More funding could be made available for research, prevention, data col- lection, infrastructure The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will soon award a historic and siz- able grant of at least $250,000 annually for at least three years to a lesbian and gay organiza- tion to reduce smoking among lesbians and gay men. The Health Resources and Services Administration is considering a significant effort to fund lesbian and gay prima- ry care clinics. They would be funded with new dollars, not taking any funds from HIV/AIDS. In addition, HRSA r is currentlyfcontacting many of the lesbian and gay community centers across the country, seeking to help them establish partnerships with local federal- ly funded community health centers. This could translate to funding community centers to help them provide information and referral services to help gay people find competent quality primary care. Vermont and neighboring Massachusetts are two of only a handful of states that have been addressing a wide-range of GLBT health issues long before the federal government. However, Healthy People 2010 provides a roadmap for every state to do even more. If les- Be§;;. Ila ax , l3Al(ERY_l CAFE! "'_ _,.—=r........... v-»«.-.n.....—.-.J Betsys off to a life of her own. Jason & Aaron will make "the Bread” home. Maple Wheat, Tea Cakes, TL Ts, Fries, Daily Bread continues to RISE! Watchfor EXPANDED menu options! 4 _ tee 'you had your beet mea8ured,?_ . At Main Street Footworks we still measure fee_t and fit shoes.’ We carry only properly designed, well made footwear from the best" » _ , European and American shoemakers — shoes and sandals from EALTH EOPL /'\"l/'\ bians and gay men have prob- lems accessing quality health care, it is not unreasonable to ask community health centers to reach out to the GLBT com- munity. After all, these centers should be reaching “under- served” populations. As the federal government begins to address GLBT issues, Vermont can be a terrif- ic partner. Working together, we as lesbians and gay men can look forward to healthier lives. For more information, log onto www.health.gov/healthy- people or call 1-800-367-4725 Marty Rouse was an assis- tant to US Secretary of HHS Donna Shalala. He recently resigned his position to work in Vermont for the Democratic State Senate Campaign. He can be reached at marty- rouse@aol. com. V Swedish Massage LEON D. "LEE" RAMEV, LMT, NCTMB NATIONALLY CERTIFIED IN THERAPEUTIC MASSAGE «Sr BODYWORK NAT’L CERT. # 15-5067-O0 ' MEMBER FSMTA Middlebury, VT 802-388-9760 802-777-6399 8 Feminist Therapy 2 Church St., Burlington sliding fee scale 7 Leah Wittenberg Licensed Mental Health Counselor Psychotherapy for individuals and couples (802)658-9590 ext.4 Janet Langdon, M. Div. 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