Lesbian and Bisexual Women’s Health Survey

The largest ever European survey into lesbian and bisexual women’s health, has just been released. The report, carried out by Stonewall and De Montfort University, reveals deeply disturbing levels of self-harm, substance abuse and exclusion from routine testing for cervical cancer.

Prescription for Change, a survey of 6,000 lesbian and bisexual respondents, suggests that health services are failing to identify specific healthcare needs among Britain's 1.8 million lesbian population. They are also failing to address specific mental health needs that many women still experience as a result of discrimination. The survey, the biggest of its kind ever conducted outside America, provides unique new statistics on the mental health, drinking and drug use of lesbian and bisexual women. Find out more here.

BBC Radio 4 Woman's Hour discusses the findings with Ruth Hunt, co-author of the report and Head of Policy and Research at Stonewall and Dr Sarah Jarvis, spokesperson for women's health at the Royal College of GPs. You can listen to the programme here.

Copies of the full report and the accompanying case studies are available at www.stonewall.org.uk/lesbianhealth.