Gay Scots suffer poor general health, according to researchers
The survey found a disparity between the LGB and heterosexual communities
By Steve Brown
Gay Scots are likely to suffer from poor general health, according to researchers.
The Scottish Surveys Core Questions (SSCQ) found that only 64 per cent of the lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) community said they had good or very good general health.
Although this is a large number, the amount of heterosexuals receiving the best medical service was considerably higher with 73.8 per cent.
The research also found that people in the LGB community were also likely to have a long-term condition compared to the straight group.
People in the LGB community also had a slightly lower mental wellbeing score at 23.8 per cent compared with 24.4 per cent.
Smoking rates were also higher in the gay community with 28.8 per cent of people questioned in the survey compared to 19.2 per cent of straight people.
Some equality campaigners have said the differences could be due to prejudice faced by members of the LGB community.
Tim Hopkins, of the Equality Network, told the Daily Record: “It’s no surprise to us that LGB people on average report poorer levels of health and mental wellbeing.
“The Government’s surveys cannot identify the reasons for this but we know from other research that LGB people still face significant prejudice and discrimination, which negatively affects people’s mental wellbeing and health.”