Affinity Community Services has been awarded a grant from the Gay and Lesbian Medical Association’s Lesbian Health Fund to conduct an innovative health promotion program for African American lesbian and bisexual women, “Take Charge.” Dr. Alicia Matthews of the University of Chicago will direct the study, which was announced Nov. 9 at the agency’s home in Chicago’s South Side Hyde Park area.
Cancer is the second leading cause of death of Americans, and studies suggest that lesbians may be at increased risk for certain types of cancers due to behavioral and lifestyle factors such as high rates of smoking, alcohol use, obesity, lack of having children and low participation in cancer screening. African-American women, on average, are less likely to develop breast cancer than white women; yet, they are more likely to die from the disease once diagnosed. The goals of the study include evaluating a culturally competent program for providing cancer education and screening, and to identify additional health needs. Affinity will work with the Chicago Dept. of Public Health’s Office of Gay and Lesbian Health, Howard Brown Health Center, and the Lesbian Community Cancer Project on this study.
Affinity is a non-profit serving Chicago’s Black lesbian and bisexual women’s community.
The “Take Charge” program will begin in January. Call Lyssa Menard, Project Coordinator, at (773) 834-4413.