American journal of preventive medicine
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Inequities in social determinants of health are plausible contributors to worse health of sexual minorities relative to heterosexuals. Sexual minorities may have higher rates of housing, food, and financial insecurity as adults owing to adverse childhood experiences or policies that induce social disadvantage. This study compares the prevalence of 3 types of social determinants of health among sexual minority and heterosexual adults. ⋯ Sexual minorities have more housing and food insecurity than heterosexuals, which may contribute to their risk for poorer health. Future research should address the causes and consequences of these differences.
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This study examined associations of both medical and nonmedical financial hardships with healthcare utilization and self-rated health among cancer survivors. ⋯ Higher medical and nonmedical financial hardships are independently associated with more emergency department visits, lower receipt of some preventive services, and worse self-rated health in cancer survivors. With growing healthcare costs, unmet medical and nonmedical financial needs may worsen health disparities among cancer survivors.
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Addressing veteran homelessness is a major federal priority, but there has been little research on the period between military discharge and homelessness. There are public concerns about new waves of homelessness among recent veterans and questions about a possible sleeper effect, that is, a delayed risk that becomes stronger with time. ⋯ There appears to be a sleeper effect in veteran homelessness after military discharge. The primary and secondary preventions focused on chronic health conditions, and social adjustment may be needed to address homelessness among recent veterans.