Postal Letter

Is gay marriage a health issue? Legalising same-sex marriage may create a healthier environment for gay men, say US researchers. Researchers from Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health surveyed the demand for medical and mental health care from 1,211 gay men registered with a particular health clinic in the 12 months prior to the change, and the 12 months afterwards. It's no surprise that people who are treated as second class citizens tend to have low self esteem, which in turn makes them more likely to take risks” Terrence Higgins Trust spokesman They found a 13% drop in healthcare visits after the law was enacted. There was a reduction in blood pressure problems, depression and "adjustment disorders", which the authors claimed could be the result of reduced stress. "It's no surprise that people who are treated as second class citizens tend to have low self esteem, which in turn makes them more likely to take risks. "Whether this is drugs, alcohol abuse, or unsafe sex, treating gay men unequally has lasting repercussions for their health." http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-16203621