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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Gay marriage 'improves health' | Gay marriage 'improves health' |
| (4 months later) | |
| Legalising same-sex marriage may create a healthier environment for gay men, say US researchers. | Legalising same-sex marriage may create a healthier environment for gay men, say US researchers. |
| The number of visits by gay men to health clinics dropped significantly after same-sex unions were allowed in the state Massachusetts. | The number of visits by gay men to health clinics dropped significantly after same-sex unions were allowed in the state Massachusetts. |
| This was regardless of whether the men were in a stable relationship, reported the American Journal of Public Health. | This was regardless of whether the men were in a stable relationship, reported the American Journal of Public Health. |
| A UK charity said there was a clear link between happiness and health. | |
| Research has already suggested that gay men are more likely to suffer from depression and suicidal thoughts than heterosexual men, and that social exclusion may be partly responsible. | Research has already suggested that gay men are more likely to suffer from depression and suicidal thoughts than heterosexual men, and that social exclusion may be partly responsible. |
| 'Lasting repercussions' | 'Lasting repercussions' |
| Same-sex marriages are legal in six US states, with Massachusetts the first to allow them in 2003. | Same-sex marriages are legal in six US states, with Massachusetts the first to allow them in 2003. |
| Researchers from Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health surveyed the demand for medical and mental health care from 1,211 gay men registered with a particular health clinic in the 12 months prior to the change, and the 12 months afterwards. | Researchers from Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health surveyed the demand for medical and mental health care from 1,211 gay men registered with a particular health clinic in the 12 months prior to the change, and the 12 months afterwards. |
| They found a 13% drop in healthcare visits after the law was enacted. | They found a 13% drop in healthcare visits after the law was enacted. |
| There was a reduction in blood pressure problems, depression and "adjustment disorders", which the authors claimed could be the result of reduced stress. | There was a reduction in blood pressure problems, depression and "adjustment disorders", which the authors claimed could be the result of reduced stress. |
| Lesbian women were not included in the study as there were insufficient numbers to give a statistically meaningful result. | Lesbian women were not included in the study as there were insufficient numbers to give a statistically meaningful result. |
| Dr Mark Hatzenbuehler, who led the study, said: "Our results suggest that removing these barriers improves the health of gay and bisexual men | Dr Mark Hatzenbuehler, who led the study, said: "Our results suggest that removing these barriers improves the health of gay and bisexual men |
| "Marriage equality may produce broad public health benefits by reducing the occurrence of stress-related health conditions." | "Marriage equality may produce broad public health benefits by reducing the occurrence of stress-related health conditions." |
| A spokesman for the Terrence Higgins Trust, a UK-based sexual health and HIV charity, said: "There is a known link between health and happiness. | A spokesman for the Terrence Higgins Trust, a UK-based sexual health and HIV charity, said: "There is a known link between health and happiness. |
| "It's no surprise that people who are treated as second class citizens tend to have low self esteem, which in turn makes them more likely to take risks. | "It's no surprise that people who are treated as second class citizens tend to have low self esteem, which in turn makes them more likely to take risks. |
| "Whether this is drugs, alcohol abuse, or unsafe sex, treating gay men unequally has lasting repercussions for their health." | "Whether this is drugs, alcohol abuse, or unsafe sex, treating gay men unequally has lasting repercussions for their health." |