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What are the potential effects of sexual orientation on physical health outcomes, such as cardiovascular disease and cancer? 


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Sexual orientation can impact physical health outcomes, particularly cardiovascular disease (CVD). Studies show that sexual minority individuals, including lesbian, gay, and bisexual populations, face disparities in cardiovascular health. They exhibit higher odds of CVD risk factors like hypertension, diabetes, and cardiovascular conditions such as heart attacks and strokes. Factors like societal discrimination, stress, and lack of access to quality healthcare contribute to these disparities. Additionally, social determinants like living in supportive environments or rural settings can influence CVD risk among sexual minority adults. Addressing these disparities through primordial prevention strategies and targeted healthcare interventions is crucial to improve the cardiovascular health outcomes of sexual minority populations.

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Sexual minority status, particularly among veterans, is associated with a 1.08 times higher odds of prevalent cardiovascular disease, highlighting disparities in cardiovascular health outcomes based on sexual orientation.
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Sexual and gender minority individuals face higher odds of cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and other chronic conditions, potentially due to societal discrimination and barriers to healthcare access.
Sexual orientation can impact cardiovascular health, with lesbian and bisexual women showing lower Life's Essential 8 scores, while gay and bisexual men exhibit higher scores, suggesting disparities in cardiovascular health.
Sexual orientation can impact cardiovascular health, with lesbian and bisexual women showing lower Life's Essential 8 scores, while gay and bisexual men exhibit higher scores, suggesting disparities in cardiovascular health.

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