Distinguished Medical Journal: Marriage Equality Makes Families Healthier
Source: The Advocate
The New England Journal of Medicine cites easier access to health care as the primary reason.
BY KEVIN OKEEFFE APRIL 15 2014 1:10 PM ET
Marriage equality isn't just good for the soul — it's also good for your health.
According to a new article in The New England Journal of Medicine, marriage equality is "a prescription for better health" for families. Citing several studies, the article attributes access to a spouse's health care as the primary reason.
"Public health research has suggested not only that discriminatory environments and bans on same-sex marriage are detrimental to health but also that legalizing same-sex marriage (among other policies expanding protections) contributes to better health for LGBT people," the article reads.
The Institute of Medicine's 2011 report about LGBT health indicated that LGBT people suffer greater "physical and mental health outcomes" than their heterosexual and cisgender counterparts, primarily because of being a part of "a stigmatized minority group." Because of this, access to health care is all the more imperative.
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Read more: http://www.advocate.com/health/2014/04/15/distinguished-medical-journal-marriage-equality-makes-families-healthier
