Underlying health conditions among U.S. adults 2017-2019, by sexual orientation

The survey count includes around 24,582 sexual minority persons. In 2017, the BRFSS question on sexual orientation was “Do you consider yourself to be: straight, lesbian or gay, or bisexual?” The interviewer recorded responses of “other,” “don’t know/not sure,” and refusals. In 2018 and 2019, the BRFSS question on sexual orientation was “Which of the following best represents how you think of yourself?” Response options for men were “gay”; “straight, that is, not gay”; “bisexual”; and “something else.” Response options for women were “lesbian or gay”; “straight, that is, not gay”; “bisexual”; and “something else.” The interviewer recorded “don’t know” responses and refusals. The analysis excludes 3.4% of respondents who responded “something else,” “other,” or “don’t know” to the sexual orientation question or who refused to respond.
* Lifetime history of cancer, except nonmelanoma skin cancer.
** Includes heart attack/myocardial infarction, coronary heart disease, or angina.