We know about men so we'll apply it to lesbians!
2007
Catherine is concerned about lesbian health issues. “We need funding to undertake a cohort study, and to look at previous
research. Sexual orientation is not routinely collected data; people
are asked about everything else but this”. Catherine has also been
lobbying to try to get this included as a question in the 2011 Census.
Catherine
would like funding for a realistic study on death rates and
comparability on auto-immune, heart disease amongst lesbians and on
best way to provide health services to lesbians. “Ethnic groups get
diversity funding but there is nothing for lesbians and gay men on
physical and mental health”. There is a serious lack of awareness and
understanding of the issues. The Medical Research Council has turned
down her request for funding; apparently they couldn’t see that there
was a need for research. Catherine said that “One peer reviewer said we
know a lot about gay men’s health so we can apply that to lesbians!”
Catherine collared Professor Liam Donaldson, (the Chief Medical Officer
of the NHS) at a conference in 2007 and asked if he know the death
rates for lesbians; he didn’t.
Contributed by: Catherine M, 47