# Examining biomarkers and mechanisms of health disparities in sexual minority women

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO · 2020 · $823,701

## Abstract

Project Summary
Significance: Compared to heterosexual women, lesbian/gay and bisexual (LGB) women report higher rates of physical health
problems. Current evidence, which is largely based on self-report, suggests that important health disparities exist in conditions
with high rates of morbidity and mortality (e.g., diabetes, heart disease). To date, however, no study has tested differences in
objective measures of health risks between LGB and heterosexual women in a representative sample of young adults. We aim to
fill this gap by examining putative health disparities using rigorous objective biomarkers of health (i.e. cardiometabolic functioning
and inflammation) in young adulthood in a representative, racially diverse sample of young women who are participating in an
ongoing longitudinal study, the Pittsburgh Girls Study (PGS) (Aim 1). We will link prospectively gathered data on discrimination
stress and childhood adversity to determine the role of stress exposure in the association between sexual minority status and
early adult health (Aim 2). Finally, we will test whether health promotion during adolescence attenuates the association between
discrimination stress and health risks among LGB women (Aim 3). Approach: Our plan is to leverage comprehensive,
prospectively collected data from the PGS and measure current health indicators among LGB women in the PGS (n=230) and a
demographic frequency matched sample of heterosexual women (n=230) in early adulthood (ages 22-25 years). Assessments of
health will include: waist circumference, blood pressure, lipids, cholesterol, fatty acids, glucose, insulin, proinflammatory cytokines
(IL-6; TNF-α), and C-reactive protein. We propose to assess discrimination stress via cortisol and heart rate reactivity to a lab-
based discrimination stressor and perceived discrimination experiences measured annually and prospectively from ages 15 to 21
years. Childhood adversity (family stress, trauma, abuse, and peer victimization) has been assessed annually for in the PGS from
youth and caregiver reports. Physical and emotional health promotion during adolescence has been assessed in a number of
ways in the PGS including vaccine uptake, safe sexual practices, and physical activity, supportive adult presence, and will be
complemented by interviews on school climate and coming out experiences. Investigators: Dr. Kathryn Keenan is the Principal
Investigator, Drs. Alison Hipwell, Stephanie Stepp, Karen Matthews, Alicia Matthews and Alida Bouris are Co-Investigators, and
Ms. Kristen Wroblewski is the biostatistician. Dr. Constance Hammen is the consultant. The investigators have led many
successful NIH-funded studies and represent expertise in developmental psychopathology, women's mental health, sexual
minority physical and mental health, health psychology, and biostatistics. Collectively, the investigators have experience in
administering the TSST to vulnerable populations, measuring cortisol reactivity, and testing hyp...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9922364
- **Project number:** 5R01HL137246-04
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO
- **Principal Investigator:** Kathryn Elizabeth Keenan
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $823,701
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2017-04-01 → 2023-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9922364

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9922364, Examining biomarkers and mechanisms of health disparities in sexual minority women (5R01HL137246-04). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9922364. Licensed CC0.

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