Some of the documents on this page require Adobe Acrobat Reader to open. Health disparities can be defined as a specific group bearing a disproportionate share of negative health outcomes compared to the general population, i.e., disease, disability, and death. According to Colorado data, when age-adjusted death rates are compared by race and ethnicity, communities of color consistently experience higher death rates than whites. Overall, men have a life expectancy that is six years less than women, and in Colorado, men have higher death rates for 8 of the 10 leading causes of death that are not gender-specific. Differences in health between men and women can be attributed to biological differences and behavior.
Some literature suggests that women have developed healthier lifestyles than men.
According to Healthy People 2010, American gay and lesbian populations have disparate health concerns. According to the literature, health issues for lesbians include a possible increased risk for breast cancer and barriers to preventive cancer screenings. The Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual Community Services Center of Colorado says that these are the same issues experienced by gays, lesbians and bisexuals in Colorado. I n Colorado, men who have sex with men are by far the most affected group when considering HIV exposure categories. In general, gay men are two to three times more likely than their peers to commit suicide, and gay and lesbian youth are also up to three times more likely to commit suicide.