Alcohol is the third biggest risk factor for ill health in the UK (after smoking and raised blood pressure). Research by the LGBT Foundation and Stonewall has found LGB people drink more than the population as a whole, and more often. The Trans Mental Health Study found 47% of trans people drank at high and potentially problematic levels.
Alcohol IBAs (Identification and Brief Advice interventions) are a key part of the Government’s strategy to reduce alcohol related harms, and have been extensively evaluated as effective in doing so. This briefing discusses IBAs in relation to LGB&T people, highlighting how they can be made available to more LGB&T people.
Healthcare staff already delivering alcohol IBAs can ensure their approach is culturally sensitive and LGB & T-inclusive. LGB&T organisations may be ideally placed to deliver IBAs in their existing screening and assessments processes, and alcohol commissioners can consider how the needs of LGB&T people are considered when planning and commissioning delivery of alcohol IBAs locally.
Alcohol IBA LGBT Briefing
The National LGB&T Partnership is an England-wide group of LGB&T voluntary and community organisations who are committed to reducing the health inequalities of lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans communities and to challenging homophobia, biphobia and transphobia within public services.
