Racial/Ethnic Differences in Cardiometabolic Risk in a Community Sample of Sexual Minority Women

Purpose: To examine the intersection of sexual identity and race/ethnicity on self-reported cardiometabolic risk in sexual minority women (SMW). Methods: Data from the Chicago Health and Life Experiences of Women study were analyzed. Logistic regression models examined racial/ethnic differences in cardiometabolic risk (including obesity, hypertension, and diabetes) in SMW, accounting for psychosocial and behavioral factors. A variable accounting for the intersection of sexual identity and race/ethnicity was added to regression models (White lesbian women were the reference group). Results: The analytic sample included 601 SMW (237 White, 219 Black, 145 Latina). Black (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 2.96, 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.48–5.94) and Latina (AOR 2.30, 95% CI=1.18–4.48) SMW had higher rates of lifetime trauma than White SMW. Black SMW reported higher rates of obesity (AOR 3.05, 95% CI=1.91–4.88), hypertension (AOR 1.99, 95% CI=1.08–3.66), and diabetes (AOR 3.77, 95% CI=1.46–9.74) relative to White SMW. Intersectional analyses revealed that Black lesbian (AOR 2.94, 95% CI=1.74–4.97) and Black bisexual (AOR 3.43, 95% CI=1.69–6.96) women were more likely to be obese than White lesbian women. Black lesbian women also reported higher rates of hypertension (AOR 2.09, 95% CI=1.08–4.04) and diabetes (AOR 3.31, 95% CI=1.26–8.67) than White lesbian women. No differences in cardiometabolic risk were found between Latina and White SMW. Conclusion: This study extends previous research on racial/ethnic differences in cardiometabolic risk among SMW. Prevention strategies are needed to reduce cardiometabolic risk in Black SMW. Findings highlight the need for cardiovascular disease research in SMW that incorporates longitudinal designs and objective measures.